"Future Way": The Dream of a Young Gaza Entrepreneur Destroyed but Not Defeated
Gaza — Special Report
In a city under siege and constant threat, a young Palestinian named Ahmad Johar, 25, from Gaza, dared to dream differently. Instead of picking up arms, he chose technology as his weapon of hope.
In March 2020, Ahmad founded his own internet service company called “Future Way”. The company aimed to break Gaza’s technological blockade and provide reliable internet access to his community despite severe resource limitations. Starting from scratch, Ahmad assembled a dedicated team of 18 employees, including engineers, technical support, and accountants.
With an initial investment of $40,000, Ahmad’s startup quickly gained momentum, generating $12,000 in profit within the first six months. By 2022, Future Way had become a significant player in Gaza’s tech sector. Businessmen began investing, and the company expanded steadily.
By early 2023, the company’s stock value surpassed $200,000, a remarkable achievement for a young entrepreneur facing extraordinary challenges. However, this success was tragically short-lived.
On October 10, 2023, Israeli airstrikes completely destroyed Future Way’s infrastructure — targeting internet towers, servers, equipment, and the company’s office. Nothing remained; even the memory of the physical workspace was wiped away.
Ahmad reflects on this loss:
"Receiving the news felt like my entire world collapsed. This company was my hope — my path to build a life, get married, and secure a future. But I told myself, as long as I have my health, my family, and my wife, everything else can be rebuilt. If not here, then somewhere else."
Despite the heartbreak, Ahmad remains resolute. He sends a powerful message to the world:
"In Gaza, no matter how hard we work or how much we dream, security for our projects does not exist. War erases years of effort in moments and forces us to start over. I call on anyone who can help me to extend a hand, so I can leave Gaza and rebuild my company — under the same name, Future Way — because it truly represents the path to the future."
Ahmad’s story is not just about a destroyed company — it is a testament to the resilience of a young Palestinian who continues to believe that the future can be forged even amidst the rubble.
You can donate to help Ahmad here.
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