As iPhone 17 shipments begin in Gaza, humanitarian crisis escalates
Israel has allowed tens of thousands of iPhone 17 Pro Maxes to enter Gaza despite continuing to block the delivery of basic humanitarian goods such as food and medicine. In Nusairat camp, Mohamed Zakawul, owner of a mobile phone store, notes the incredible demand for the new devices, which have become a symbol of status and controversy. Before the question of why phones and not food are coming in became relevant, many Gazans asked why this was happening in a humanitarian disaster.
Source The National News
At the same time, there have been various reactions to this situation. Some define the buyers as social activists and entrepreneurs who stood to gain financially during the conflict. Others believe that spending on iPhones in times of famine is morally unacceptable. Researcher Hamza Al Shobaki emphasizes the threat that this flood of smartphones could be used to improve Israeli surveillance operations, as medicine and other basic supplies remain critically scarce in Gaza.
Due to the lack of regulatory oversight, there are increasingly loud questions on social media about the priorities and moral aspects of buying luxury goods during a humanitarian crisis. Public opinion is split between support for high tech to document the situation in Gaza and criticism of spending on phones in the face of dire poverty. It is unclear what may change in this tense situation in the near future.
