Hanan Al Joujou, a 31-year-old Palestinian mother, is forced to feed her three children in the dark using a flashlight due to the ongoing electricity shortage in Gaza, despite the recent Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
When they can’t afford to charge the flashlight, they skip meals.
“We remain in darkness after sunset and the Maghrib prayer,” said al-Joujou, referencing the evening Muslim prayer. “If we can use the flashlight, we do. Otherwise, we sleep without dinner or light.” Her family has been without power since the conflict began over two years ago, initially relying on candles after moving to Rafah in southern Gaza.
They eventually stopped using candles, fearing fire risks in their tent. “We tried a simple LED light, but it broke. We can’t afford to repair it. We considered a battery, but it’s too costly and scarce,” Al Joujou explained.
Before the conflict, Gaza mainly relied on imported electricity from Israel, though it was inconsistent. Gaza received 120 megawatts from Israel, with its sole power plant providing an additional 60 MW, according to officials.
Following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths according to Israeli reports, Israel imposed a “total siege” on Gaza.
Gaza’s power went out after its plant ran out of fuel within days.
Responding to inquiries, the Israeli military stated that civilian infrastructure, including electrical facilities, were not military targets “in and of themselves” and that they aimed to minimize harm to “civilians and civilian structures,” while noting that Hamas operated within civilian areas.
Now residing in a displacement camp in Nuseirat, central Gaza, most family activities cease at sunset. Al-Joujou’s children use a flashlight for homework when they can charge it.
“We barely have enough money for daily survival,” added Hanan’s husband, Ahmed, 35.
Some residents operate charging stations powered by solar energy or private generators, due to the destruction of Gaza’s electrical grid. Mohammed Al Hor’s family runs one such solar-powered charging business, which was set up at their home, later struck by an Israeli attack. “The charging point was bombed, and my brother was martyred,” the 32-year-old said.
PUNISHMENT
In March, Israeli minister Eli Cohen ordered the Electric Corporation to halt electricity sales to Gaza as a punitive measure against Hamas.
Even post-ceasefire, restoring Gaza’s power—devastated by Israeli bombings—requires extensive infrastructure reconstruction.
The war has obliterated over 80% of Gaza’s electricity distribution, with initial damage estimates at $728 million, according to Gaza’s electricity company media director.
“For two years, Gaza has received no electricity. The current supply is zero,” Mohammed Thabet told Reuters, noting pre-war demands were 600 megawatts.
COGAT, the Israeli military body overseeing aid to Gaza, affirmed Israel’s commitment to facilitating humanitarian aid, including fuel for electricity, per ceasefire terms.
COGAT also noted that the Kela power line from Israel supports two desalination facilities. In July 2024, Israel linked a power line to a U.N.-run desalination plant in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, to provide additional drinking water to residents.
