Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
A Gaza-based start-up that powers thousands of homes in the besieged enclave with cheaper solar panels is uncertain about its future as Israel continues to bombard the Palestinian territory, killing people and destroying its infrastructure.
SunBox’s office and warehouses near Al Shifa hospital in central and eastern Gaza city have been bombed, said Kamal Almashharawi, the company’s head of operations.
Mr Almashharawi is not sure whether operations will restart once the war ends.
“We are not sure how Gaza is going to look like after this war,” he told The National.
“When I left Gaza, it was just rubble. It’s mass destruction and everything is destroyed. It [will] cost billions of dollars to rebuild the infrastructure of Gaza.”
Mr Almashharawi was evacuated from Gaza last month and is currently in Riyadh with his family.
More than 18,200 people have been killed in the enclave and nearly 50,000 wounded since the war with Israel broke out on October 7.
The war began after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an assault in which its gunmen killed at least 1,200 Israelis, with 240 taken hostage.
“We were functioning before October 7 and the company was doing great,” Mr Almashharawi said.
SunBox was profiled by The National in October 2021, when it was seeking to expand its operations across the Middle East.
“But since the war began, we weren’t able to do work or have access to supplies or projects. We don’t have any idea what happened to projects whether they still exist or are damaged,” Mr Almashharawi said.
“We were supposed to receive payments from our projects but we can’t because of the war and it’s been very difficult to keep up the business, try to cover all those expenses.”
SunBox provides cheap solar panels for residential buildings as well as to factories and other units. It has taken up more than 300 projects since it launched its operations in 2018 and was planning to raise more money to expand its operations.
“The company is shut and I don't even know how our employees are, whether they are alive or injured. I couldn’t reach out to them because of the internet service breakdown,” Mr Almashharawi said.
The company lost contact with its 10 full-time employees and five part-time workers when they moved from the north to the south, he said.
While Sunbox continued to pay employee salaries online from its emergency fund, Mr Almashharawi said they were not certain whether the money was being received.
There are hundreds of start-ups based in Gaza operating in different fields and facing a bleak future as the war has destroyed the entire business ecosystem, he said.
“I don’t think any company can survive, especially if it is a start-up, which is a fragile business,” he added.
The economic outlook for the territory was grim even before the war broke out, with high unemployment and poverty as well as negligible foreign investment.
The war is expected to exacerbate the situation with most of the enclave's infrastructure damaged.
“I heard wonderful stories before the war [about start-ups]. I don’t think those stories exist any more,” Mr Almashharawi said.
“The infrastructure for the start-ups, the client base, the investment, everything is destroyed.”
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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