The +970 country code is for Palestine, covering the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestine received its own dialing code from the ITU in 1999, though implementation was gradual as telecommunications infrastructure developed independently from the Israeli +972 network.
Today, calling Palestine means working with a phone system shaped by geography and politics. The West Bank and Gaza operate on separate networks with different providers, and connection quality varies by location. Understanding how the system works helps avoid common pitfalls when reaching family, friends, or business contacts in Palestinian territories.
Quick answer: Dial +970 followed by the 9-digit local number. Mobile numbers start with 59 (Jawwal) or 56 (Ooredoo). Landlines use area codes like 02 (Ramallah area) or 08 (Gaza). Drop any leading 0 from the local number when dialing internationally.
How to call Palestine: quick reference
Palestine has one of the largest diaspora populations relative to its size. Millions of Palestinians live abroad, primarily in Jordan, Chile, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The table below shows how to dial from countries with significant Palestinian communities.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| Jordan | 00-970-[local number] |
| US/Canada mobile | +970 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-970-[local number] |
| Chile | 00-970-[local number] |
| UAE | 00-970-[local number] |
| Saudi Arabia | 00-970-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-970-[local number] |
Understanding Palestine phone numbers
Palestine uses 9-digit phone numbers after the +970 country code. The first digit indicates whether you're calling a mobile phone or landline, and if landline, which region.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers in Palestine are 9 digits starting with 59 or 56:
- 59X XXX XXX - Jawwal (Palestine Cellular Communications)
- 56X XXX XXX - Ooredoo Palestine
Example: +970 59 123 4567
Landline numbers
Landline numbers use area codes that identify the region. The format is a 1-digit area code followed by 7 digits:
| Area | Code | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ramallah/Jerusalem area | 02 | +970 2 XXX XXXX |
| Gaza Strip | 08 | +970 8 XXX XXXX |
| Nablus/Jenin/Tulkarm | 09 | +970 9 XXX XXXX |
| Hebron area | 02 | +970 2 XXX XXXX |
| Bethlehem | 02 | +970 2 XXX XXXX |
Trunk prefix
The domestic trunk prefix is 0. When someone in Palestine gives you their number as "059 123 4567" or "02 123 4567," drop the leading 0 and dial +970 59 123 4567 or +970 2 123 4567.
Mobile carriers in Palestine
Palestine has two mobile network operators. Unlike many countries where multiple carriers compete nationwide, the Palestinian market has been shaped by licensing challenges and infrastructure restrictions.
Jawwal
Jawwal launched in 1999 as Palestine's first mobile operator, operated by the Palestine Telecommunications Company (Paltel). It remains the dominant carrier with coverage across the West Bank and Gaza. Jawwal numbers begin with 59. The network operates on 2G and 3G, with 4G deployment progressing in some areas.
Ooredoo Palestine
Ooredoo entered the Palestinian market in 2009 and operates primarily in the West Bank. Numbers begin with 56. The company is part of the Qatari Ooredoo Group. Coverage in Gaza has been limited by infrastructure restrictions.
Network considerations
Frequency spectrum licensing and equipment import restrictions affect both networks. Service quality depends on location. International callers may experience connection difficulties, particularly to Gaza.
Don't confuse +970 with nearby codes
The +970 code sits in a region with several similar-sounding codes, and there's historical overlap with Israel's +972 code that still causes confusion.
| Code | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| +970 | Palestine | West Bank and Gaza |
| +972 | Israel | Some Palestinian areas may still use +972 |
| +971 | UAE | Large Palestinian population |
| +974 | Qatar | Different region |
| +973 | Bahrain | Gulf state |
The +972 overlap
Before 1999, Palestinian phone numbers used Israel's +972 country code. While +970 is now the official code, some older numbers or certain areas (particularly East Jerusalem) may still appear with +972 prefixes. If a call to +970 fails, the contact may be reachable via +972. Israeli mobile carriers also operate in some areas, which can cause number portability issues.
Time zone considerations
Palestine observes Palestine Standard Time (PST), which is UTC+2. During summer, clocks move to Palestine Daylight Time (PDT) at UTC+3, typically from late March to late October.
| Your location | Palestine time difference | Best calling window (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST/EDT) | +7 hours | 14:00-22:00 UTC |
| US West Coast (PST/PDT) | +10 hours | 17:00-01:00 UTC |
| UK (GMT/BST) | +2 hours | 08:00-20:00 UTC |
| Germany (CET/CEST) | +1 hour | 08:00-20:00 UTC |
| UAE (GST) | -2 hours | 06:00-18:00 UTC |
| Jordan (EET) | Same timezone | 06:00-21:00 UTC |
Friday is the weekly day of rest in Palestine. For business calls, Sunday through Thursday are standard workdays, with business hours typically running 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time.
Communication in Palestine
Network quality
Call quality to Palestine varies by location. The West Bank generally has better infrastructure than Gaza, where telecommunications have been affected by ongoing restrictions. Urban areas like Ramallah have relatively reliable service, while rural areas and refugee camps may experience more connection issues.
Internet calling
Many Palestinians rely on internet-based calling (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger) due to lower costs and more reliable connections when internet is available. However, internet service can be inconsistent, particularly in Gaza. Traditional phone calls remain necessary for reaching people without stable internet access.
Communication patterns
Palestinians tend to be direct in phone conversations and appreciate calls from family abroad. Evening calls (after 6 PM local time) are common for personal matters. During Ramadan, calling patterns shift to accommodate fasting schedules, with many preferring calls after iftar (sunset meal).
The Palestine diaspora
An estimated 5-6 million Palestinians live outside the West Bank and Gaza, compared to roughly 5 million within the territories. The diaspora outnumbers the homeland population.
Where Palestinians settled
Jordan hosts the largest Palestinian population outside the territories, with over 2 million people of Palestinian origin. Many hold Jordanian citizenship and maintain close ties to family in the West Bank.
Chile has the largest Palestinian community outside the Arab world, with 300,000-500,000 people of Palestinian descent. Immigration began in the late 1800s, primarily from Bethlehem and Beit Jala. Most Chilean Palestinians are now third or fourth generation.
United States has an estimated 200,000-250,000 Palestinians, concentrated in areas like Chicago, Detroit, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar) host significant Palestinian populations, though many are on work visas without permanent residency rights.
Why they call home
Family connections drive most calls. Travel restrictions make visits difficult or impossible for many diaspora Palestinians, so phone calls carry the weight of relationships that can't happen in person. Calls spike during holidays like Eid, Ramadan, and Christmas (for Palestinian Christians), and during periods of conflict when families check on each other's safety.
Dialing examples
Here's how to dial specific types of Palestine phone numbers from abroad:
Calling a Jawwal mobile
To call a Jawwal mobile number 059 234 5678 from the US:
- From a mobile: +970 59 234 5678
- From a landline: 011-970-59-234-5678
Calling an Ooredoo mobile
To call an Ooredoo mobile number 056 789 0123 from the UK:
- Dial: 00-970-56-789-0123 or +970 56 789 0123
Calling a Ramallah landline
To call a Ramallah office at 02 234 5678 from Germany:
- Dial: 00-970-2-234-5678 or +970 2 234 5678
- Note: Drop the 0 from the area code
Calling a Gaza landline
To call a Gaza number 08 234 5678 from Jordan:
- Dial: 00-970-8-234-5678 or +970 8 234 5678
- Note: Gaza calls may experience more connection issues than West Bank calls
Common mistakes to avoid
Using +972 instead of +970
If your contact has had their number for many years, they may still give you a +972 number. Try +970 first, but if it fails, the number may still be on the Israeli network. Some East Jerusalem numbers use +972.
Keeping the trunk prefix
When someone says "059 234 5678," the 0 is the domestic trunk prefix. Drop it when dialing internationally: +970 59 234 5678, not +970 059 234 5678.
Confusing mobile and landline formats
Mobile numbers start with 59 or 56 (9 digits total). Landlines start with 2, 8, or 9 and are 8 digits total. If you're not sure which you have, count the digits after the area/mobile prefix.
Expecting consistent call quality
Connections to Palestine can be inconsistent. If a call drops or fails to connect, try again. Calls to Gaza in particular may face more technical difficulties due to infrastructure limitations.
Forgetting the time difference during Ramadan
During Ramadan, many Palestinians prefer calls after iftar (sunset meal) or in the late evening. Calling during daytime fasting hours may reach people who are tired or unable to talk at length.
Call Palestine from $0.35/min
CallSky offers affordable international calling to Palestine. With rates starting from just $0.35/min, you can stay connected with friends, family, and business contacts in Palestine.
- No subscription required - Pay only for the calls you make
- Crystal-clear quality - HD voice over WiFi or mobile data
- Works anywhere - Call from the web app or iOS app
View detailed calling rates to Palestine →
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country code is 970?
+970 is the country code for Palestine, covering the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It was assigned by the ITU in 1999.
Can I call Gaza from abroad?
Yes, international calls to Gaza work the same as calls to the West Bank. Dial +970 followed by 8 and the 7-digit number. However, connection quality may be less reliable due to infrastructure challenges.
Why do some Palestine numbers start with +972?
Before 1999, Palestinian phone numbers used Israel's +972 code. Some numbers, particularly in East Jerusalem, may still use +972. If a +970 call fails, try +972 with the same number.
What's the difference between 59 and 56 mobile numbers?
Numbers starting with 59 belong to Jawwal (the first Palestinian mobile carrier). Numbers starting with 56 belong to Ooredoo Palestine. Both networks have coverage in the West Bank, though Jawwal has broader coverage in Gaza.
What time is it in Palestine?
Palestine uses UTC+2 (PST) in winter and UTC+3 (PDT) in summer. This is the same timezone as Jordan and Israel, and 2 hours ahead of UK time.
Do I need a special carrier to call Palestine?
No. Any international calling service can connect to +970 numbers. Services like CallSky offer affordable rates starting at $0.35/min without requiring special setup.
Ready to make clear, affordable international calls without the hassle? With CallSky.io, you can connect to over 180 countries, including Palestine, with crystal-clear quality and transparent per-minute rates. Start calling with CallSky.io today.