Since 2023 the Gaza Strip has suffered repeated communication blackouts caused by Israeli bombardment and the intentional destruction of telecom infrastructure. The territory's only fibre-optic cable runs through Israel and the blockade prevents the import of modern equipment, so Palestinians are still limited to 2G networks; attempts to upgrade to 3G have been blocked. During recent blackouts there was no local network, so people in Gaza climbed onto roofs to catch a roaming signal from Israeli or Egyptian towers. Many relied on donated eSIM plans registered in other countries to maintain contact with the outside world. eSIM cards have therefore become an emergency lifeline; journalists, medics and later ordinary citizens have used them to share news, contact family and obtain aid. Civil‑society initiatives such as Connecting Humanity and Gaza Online buy thousands of eSIMs and send the QR codes to Gazans, who scan them to connect to remote networks. According to SMEX's digital rights report, however, only about 33,000 of the 2.2 million Gazans could stay connected by eSIMs because the technology requires compatible devices and access to a signal.
eSIM Availability in Israel
Carriers that Support eSIM
Apple's official carrier list shows that Cellcom and Pelephone support eSIM Quick Transfer (which allows users to move a phone number from an old iPhone to a new one). Other carriers – Golan Telecom, Hot Mobile, Partner and the two Quick‑Transfer carriers – support eSIM Israel activation by scanning a QR code or using the carrier's app. These major operators account for nearly all mobile subscriptions in Israel.
Performance and Coverage
Mobile‑network market: Israel's mobile market is dominated by four operators – Cellcom, Partner, Pelephone and Hot Mobile – and a few low‑cost MVNOs. Cellcom, Partner and Pelephone operate their own networks; Hot Mobile relies partly on a roaming agreement and offers lower prices but with less coverage.
Coverage comparison: An Opensignal report (Dec 2023) awarded Cellcom the overall Coverage Experience award, Pelephone the 5G coverage award, and Hot Mobile the 5G download‑speed award. The comparison notes that Pelephone and Cellcom have slightly better coverage and speed, while Hot Mobile is the cheapest option.
eSIM rollout: Cellcom was the first Israeli carrier to introduce consumer eSIMs; Partner offers eSIM mainly to business accounts; Pelephone provides eSIM for some business customers; Hot Mobile has yet to widely roll out eSIM.
Is eSIM Available in Israel?
Yes. All major Israeli carriers support Israel eSIM activation, either through Apple's eSIM Quick Transfer (Cellcom and Pelephone) or by QR‑code activation through the carrier's app (Cellcom, Golan Telecom, Hot Mobile, Partner and Pelephone). This means travellers and residents can add a digital SIM without visiting a store.
eSIM Usage in Palestine
Local Carrier Support
Apple's carrier list indicates that Jawwal and Ooredoo, the two Palestinian mobile operators, support eSIM activation through QR‑code scanning or a carrier app. However, these operators can only provide 2G service in Gaza because Israel refuses to allow upgrades to 3G or 4G. During war‑time blackouts the network infrastructure is repeatedly bombed, leaving no local service. Palestinians therefore rely on roaming connections from Israeli or Egyptian towers and on eSIMs registered abroad.
How Palestinians Obtain eSIMs
Because there is no functioning local network, Gaza residents cannot simply subscribe to a Palestine eSIM. Instead they:
Receive donated eSIMs: Civil‑led initiatives (Connecting Humanity, Gaza Online, etc.) buy eSIM packages from global providers such as Holafly, Airalo, Nomad and eSIM Prime. These packages are registered in another country and connect to Israeli or Egyptian towers. Volunteers send the QR‑code images via email or messaging apps so that Gazans can activate them.
Use "human routers": Because many phones in Gaza are older and cannot use eSIMs, volunteers with compatible devices act as human routers by loading multiple eSIMs and sharing the data via Wi‑Fi hotspots. If a cell tower signal is weak, people climb to rooftops to catch a connection.
Scan QR codes to connect: Once an eSIM QR code is scanned, the phone searches for available networks (often Israeli cell towers). This still requires an initial internet connection or Wi‑Fi, so connectivity is fragile.
Risks and Limitations
Limited availability: Only around 33,000 people in Gaza have been able to connect via Gaza eSIM out of a population of 2.2 million. Many cannot afford compatible devices.
Security risks: SMEX warns that connecting via Israeli networks exposes users to surveillance and metadata collection, so using a VPN is recommended.
Dependence on Israeli/Egyptian networks: When Israeli forces cut the fibre cable or bomb cell towers, the eSIM connection fails. Users sometimes climb tall buildings to capture a signal.
Is eSIM Available in Palestine?
Technically yes: Jawwal and Ooredoo support eSIM activation. However, in the Gaza Strip the network is limited to 2G and infrastructure is repeatedly destroyed, so there is often no local network available. Most residents thus rely on eSIMs from foreign providers that roam on Israeli or Egyptian networks. In the West Bank (under less intense bombardment), Jawwal and Ooredoo's eSIM support may work normally for travellers.
Which Mobile Network is Best in Israel?
Choosing the "best" mobile carrier depends on coverage, speed, cost and eSIM support.
| Criterion | Evidence | Carrier with Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Opensignal's 2023 report gave Cellcom the top coverage experience award. Esimisrael.net also notes that Cellcom and Pelephone have wide coverage. | Cellcom (coverage), Pelephone (good) |
| 5G availability | The same report awarded Pelephone the 5G coverage experience award and Hot Mobile the 5G download speed award. | Pelephone (5G coverage), Hot Mobile (speed) |
| Price | Hot Mobile offers the lowest prices but with limited coverage. MVNOs (Rami Levy, 012 Mobile) are cheap but rely on larger networks. | Hot Mobile or MVNOs for budget users |
| eSIM support | Cellcom and Pelephone support eSIM Quick Transfer; all major operators support eSIM Israel via QR code. | Cellcom, Pelephone, Partner, Golan, Hot Mobile |
Overall: Travellers who prioritise coverage and 5G speeds should choose Cellcom or Pelephone. Hot Mobile is attractive for budget users but coverage is weaker, especially in rural areas. MVNOs may offer lower prices but rely on the infrastructure of the larger networks.
What is the Best eSIM for Israel?
Several companies sell travel eSIMs for Israel. eSIM Prime markets itself as the leading option. According to eSIM Prime's Israel page, an Israel eSIM provides quick activation, no physical SIM, no roaming fees and compatibility with modern smartphones. The company emphasises:
Instant QR code activation: Customers receive a QR code and can connect within minutes without downloading a carrier app.
Flexible data plans: Plans range from 1 GB for short trips to 5–20 GB for longer stays.
No roaming or contracts: The plan ends when the data is used; there are no hidden charges.
High‑speed connectivity: The eSIM connects to top Israeli networks to provide stable data.
Global compatibility and trust: eSIM Prime claims to be trusted by travelers from over 100 countries and works with all major eSIM‑compatible phones.
Because eSIM Prime operates over existing Israeli networks, it does not require travellers to obtain a local SIM or register at a store. For visitors, this convenience and the absence of contracts make eSIM Prime one of the best travel eSIM options. Other providers—such as Holafly, Nomad, Airalo, Sparks and Numero—are also used by activists to supply eSIMs into Gaza, but eSIM Prime highlights simplified activation and lower prices. Its Israel eSIM plan (around US $4.99 for small packages) competes with other providers.
Conclusion
Availability: eSIM technology is widely available in Israel; Cellcom and Pelephone support eSIM Quick Transfer, and all major Israeli carriers offer QR‑code eSIM Israel activation. In Palestine, Jawwal and Ooredoo support eSIMs, but Gaza's network is 2G and often destroyed. Residents therefore rely on eSIMs registered abroad to connect to Israeli or Egyptian towers.
Best mobile network: For coverage and 5G performance, Cellcom and Pelephone are the leaders, with Hot Mobile providing cheaper but more limited service.
Best eSIM for Israel: eSIM Prime stands out due to instant QR activation, flexible data plans, no roaming fees or contracts, and reliable connectivity. Travellers seeking a hassle‑free digital SIM should consider eSIM Prime, while activists sending eSIMs into Gaza may use a variety of providers, including eSIM Prime, to help Palestinians circumvent the communications blockade.
Key Findings Summary
Context and Need for eSIMs in Palestine: Gaza's telecom infrastructure has been repeatedly destroyed since 2023, leaving only a 2G network and forcing residents to depend on roaming signals from Israeli or Egyptian towers. Civil-society groups have donated tens of thousands of eSIMs to help journalists and ordinary citizens stay connected.
eSIM Support in Israel: All major Israeli carriers (Cellcom, Pelephone, Golan Telecom, Hot Mobile and Partner) offer eSIM Israel activation, with Cellcom and Pelephone supporting Apple's eSIM Quick Transfer. Coverage and 5G performance are strongest with Cellcom and Pelephone, while Hot Mobile and MVNOs remain budget-friendly options.
eSIM Availability in Palestine: Although Palestinian operators Jawwal and Ooredoo support Palestine eSIM, Gaza's outdated 2G network and recurring blackouts mean most residents rely on eSIMs registered abroad. Only about 33,000 of Gaza's 2.2 million people have been able to connect this way.
Best eSIM Option: eSIM Prime is highlighted as a leading travel eSIM for Israel thanks to instant QR-code activation, flexible data plans from 1 GB to 20 GB, no roaming fees or contracts, and reliable connectivity to top Israeli networks. These features make it especially useful for travellers and activists needing quick, hassle-free connectivity.