binarypublishKey Points:
- Mahmoud Abushawish, co-founder of Gaza-based tech startup Torood, was killed in an Israeli airstrike.
- Torood, established by Abushawish in 2021, provides a platform for quick and reliable door-to-door delivery services, aiding stores in their transition to the online market.
Mahmoud Abushawish, the co-founder of Palestinian tech startup Torood, was tragically killed in an Israeli airstrike, leaving a deep hole in Gaza’s startup scene. Initially reported lost, his death was confirmed by colleagues on Tuesday, 4 December. His untimely demise left not just his family in mourning but also his fellow entrepreneurs in the Palestinian startup ecosystem.
Abushawish, with co-founder Ezz Alakhras, established Torood in 2021, the same year he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Islamic University of Gaza. His dedication to making a positive change, despite the considerable odds, left an everlasting mark on Gaza’s startup community. He was reportedly known for his motivational mantra “If you can make it in Gaza, you can make it anywhere,” which he often shared with aspiring entrepreneurs.
Torood is a tech startup that supports brick-and-mortar stores transitioning to the digital economy. The firm provides a mobile application that serves as a platform for reliable door-to-door delivery services, catering to both webshops and traditional stores. The startup’s advanced storage and sorting facilities support the convenience of same-day delivery, fulfilling a crucial need in the rapidly growing e-commerce sector.
Abushawish’s untimely passing is a devastating loss not only to his family and friends but also to the Palestinian entrepreneurial community, whose members collectively mourned his loss and celebrated his contributions to the startup scene in Gaza.
