Leiden University Student Repository

Terli, Zenne (2025)

Israel's Consistent Oppression of the Palestinian ICT Sector: Protection of Critical Infrastructure from Serious Cyber Operations

Bachelor thesis | Security Studies (BSc)

This thesis aims to assess the balance of power between Israel and Hamas, specifically, the Gaza Strip. The balance of power refers to the Realist theory. Within the context of Israel's past and ongoing authority over the Palestinian ICT sector, this thesis investigates how the balance of power limits Gaza's cyber capabilities and development of their ICT sector. Realism serves as a foundational principle, emphasizing that power is central in politics. By combining a Realist theoretical framework, literature concerning cyber capacity building (CBB) in the Global South and data usage in armed conflict, the basis of research delves into the complexities of digital warfare and development of infrastructure. Through a detailed geopolitical case and digital warfare analysis, this thesis provides insights into the limitations faced exclusively by Gaza, apart from the usual challenges that developing regions can face in CCB. A critical discourse analysis explores and compares how the use...Show moreThis thesis aims to assess the balance of power between Israel and Hamas, specifically, the Gaza Strip. The balance of power refers to the Realist theory. Within the context of Israel's past and ongoing authority over the Palestinian ICT sector, this thesis investigates how the balance of power limits Gaza's cyber capabilities and development of their ICT sector. Realism serves as a foundational principle, emphasizing that power is central in politics. By combining a Realist theoretical framework, literature concerning cyber capacity building (CBB) in the Global South and data usage in armed conflict, the basis of research delves into the complexities of digital warfare and development of infrastructure. Through a detailed geopolitical case and digital warfare analysis, this thesis provides insights into the limitations faced exclusively by Gaza, apart from the usual challenges that developing regions can face in CCB. A critical discourse analysis explores and compares how the use of language and curating a narrative can shape public opinion through Israeli and Palestinian secondary news sources. The final findings are contextualized within the balance of power between the states, which ultimately is heavily in favor of Israel.Show less

Israel, Palestine, Critical Infrastructure, ICT, systematic oppression

Author

Terli, Zenne

Faculty

Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs

Supervisors

Sukumar, A.

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en