Israeli tech entrepreneur: Gaza must be digitally and economically reconnected to world

Liran Tancman, a former Israeli Intelligence Corps officer and co-founder of the Israeli Cyber Command, addressed the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington Thursday, arguing that meeting Gaza's needs requires reconnecting the territory to the world digitally and economically. He noted that Gaza's telecommunications infrastructure has been largely destroyed since October 7, 2023, and emphasized that restoring connectivity would return Gaza to its historical role as a vital trade hub between Asia and Europe.

Digital Infrastructure and Economic Plans

Tancman detailed efforts by the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to build a secure digital backbone and open platform enabling e-payments, financial services, e-learning, and healthcare while maintaining user data control. He claimed significant regional partner support, stating that Palestinian, Arab, and US partners have been brought together to deliver practical solutions. He also described parallel development of an Amazon-style logistics system designed to help Palestinians launch businesses, import goods globally, and trade securely, which he said would lower prices and transform Gaza into an "open, transparent and corruption-free economic zone."

Background and Criticism

Tancman co-founded the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation during Israel's strict blockade and has collaborated with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. He previously helped develop a 2015 concept requiring Palestinians to undergo biometric vetting for aid distribution—a system strongly criticized by Human Rights Watch and the UN as turning aid distribution points into intelligence gathering and targeting locations for the Israeli army. GHF has been associated with attacks on civilians waiting for food at aid centers, raising questions about the humanitarian credentials of those involved in reconstruction planning.