In Gaza, daily life remains dark and difficult even after last month’s Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Hanan al-Joujou, 31, feeds her three children by flashlight inside a tent in Nuseirat camp. When she cannot afford to charge it, her family sleeps without dinner.
“We stay in the darkness once the sun sets,” Hanan said. Her family stopped using candles, fearing fires, and cannot repair their broken LED light.
Since the war began two years ago, electricity has vanished across Gaza. Before the conflict, the enclave received 120 megawatts from Israel and 60 MW from its only power plant. That ended when Israel imposed a total siege after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
Many families now depend on solar-powered charging stations, but even these have been bombed. “Our charging point was destroyed, and my brother was martyred,” said resident Mohammed al-Hor.
Israeli officials admit that rebuilding Gaza’s power grid will take massive effort. The war damaged over 80% of its electrical network, causing losses of $728 million. Though Israel says it allows fuel and electricity for desalination plants, full restoration remains far off. For thousands of families like Hanan’s, night still brings only darkness and hunger.
