Residents in Gaza are grappling with a collapsed power infrastructure, using makeshift solutions to light their homes amid the ongoing conflict.
In Gaza, the war has devastated the power grid, leaving residents without reliable electricity and forcing them to depend on alternative sources like phone charging stations and generators.
Abdel Karim Salman, a 28-year-old former civil engineer displaced from northern Gaza, now lives in a tent in Deir el-Balah with his wife and two young children. His family home was destroyed early in the conflict on October 9, 2023, exacerbating their daily hardships.
Daily Routine and Costs
Every day, Abdel Karim walks 150 to 200 meters to charge his and his wife’s phones, paying two to four shekels per session, twice daily. This amounts to eight to 10 shekels per day, a significant expense amid Gaza’s economic crisis.
These phones serve as the primary light source in his tent at night, with the torch function draining batteries quickly. His children, both under five, rely on this light, as darkness causes them distress.
Before the war, Gaza experienced rolling blackouts, but the situation worsened after October 7, 2023, when Israel imposed a complete siege, cutting off electricity and fuel supplies. By October 11, 2023, Gaza’s power plant shut down due to fuel shortages.
Available Alternatives
Options like solar-powered lamps cost around 300 shekels, while solar systems with batteries reach up to 1,620 shekels, prices unaffordable for most amid Israeli restrictions on imports. Generator-based systems exist but fluctuate due to irregular fuel availability.
The electricity shortage affects all aspects of life, from lacking refrigerators and washing machines to inability to store baby milk. Abdel Karim notes that even families pooling resources struggle to afford energy solutions, leaving many in similar dire conditions.
