Armed conflict between Hamas militant groups and Israeli military forces began on 07 October 2023. Since then, intense airstrikes and a complete siege in the Gaza Strip has resulted in a humanitarian crisis.

The conflict has resulted in widespread damage to critical infrastructure in Gaza, significantly disrupting communication networks and impeding life-saving operations.

The WFP-led Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) was activated on 31 October 2023 to meet the urgent need to support access to independent and reliable shared communications services for humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza. Since 09 January, the ETC has presence in Rafah, supporting humanitarian agencies with ICT assessments, technical advice and information, repairs, and guidance on the use of ICT equipment.

The ETC urgently requires US$1.8 million requested in the revised occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) Flash Appeal to address urgent and critical lifesaving efforts in Gaza until 31 December 2024. On 13 May 2024, the ETC received US$415,000 from the Government of Poland to set up common ICT services. A further US$158,228 from the US Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) was received on 21 May 2024 to support the maritime logistics project with communications services. The total funding status is now 31.8% of the US$1.8 million requested in the revised Flash Appeal to undertake its activities and address the immediate communication needs in Gaza. The revised Flash Appeal, incorporating ETC’s budget requirement of US$1.8 million, was published by OCHA on 17 April. The ETC funding received in December 2023―EUR250,000 from the Government of France and EUR250,000 from the Government of Luxembourg―is exhausted.