BETHLEHEM, West Bank
In a narrow lot in Bethlehem, Walid Salman tends to rows of vibrant green herbs suspended in water pipes—an improvised lifeline after the collapse of the local tourism sector left him jobless. Hundreds of kilometers away, amidst the concrete ruins of the Gaza Strip, children in crisp white uniforms practice karate kicks on bare earth, defying the loss of their gyms and coaches.
These contrasting scenes of survival were spotlighted on "Al-Makshouf" , a current affairs program produced by the Palestine News Network (PNN) and hosted by Sara Rizk. The broadcast examined how grassroots economic and athletic initiatives are struggling to bridge the gap left by soaring unemployment and widespread war destruction.
Salman, who previously worked in the hospitality industry, turned to hydroponic farming to cultivate vegetables and herbs for local restaurants and hotels. Speaking on the program, agricultural engineer Khalil Al-Qurna from the Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem (ARIJ) noted that soilless farming offers a vital alternative given severe water scarcity and restricted land access. However, he cautioned that funding alone cannot sustain such ventures without proper market feasibility studies, technical training, and youth cooperatives to share operational costs.
The urgency of these micro-projects is underscored by grim economic data. Saadi Al-Masri, director of labor statistics at the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, reported that unemployment in the West Bank surged to roughly 28% in the second quarter of 2026—more than double the pre-war rate of 13%—while Gaza's jobless rate hit an alarming 70% in the third quarter. With thousands of laborers barred from working in Israel and small businesses shuttering, Al-Masri warned that individual startups alone cannot replace the massive loss of formal employment.
In Gaza, the struggle shifts from economic survival to psychological endurance. The Al-Zaytoun Karate Academy continues to train youth entirely through the voluntary efforts of surviving coaches.
Hassan Al-Ra’i, vice president of the Palestinian Karate Federation in Gaza, revealed the devastating toll on the athletic sector: roughly 1,018 athletes have been killed and 90% of sports clubs, halls, and facilities have been destroyed. Despite the devastation, the federation’s "Crafting a New Dream from the Rubble" initiative has successfully enrolled around 1,000 new young practitioners.
Al-Ra’i issued an urgent appeal to international humanitarian organizations to provide 18 large educational tents, uniforms, and logistical backing. Integrating martial arts into early psychological recovery programs, he emphasized, gives displaced children a critical outlet to rebuild self-confidence and process the trauma of war.
