It is nighttime near Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City, with darkness enveloping the streets. The Abu Naji family gathers in their tent by a small fire. The quietness of the night, unusual after years of conflict, is broken only by the sound of crickets and the crackling of the fire. Shrouq Abu Naji hands her children a notebook to tear out pages for fuel to keep the flame alive.
The Israeli government, in response to Hamas attacks on Israel two days earlier, announced the cessation of electricity, water, food, and fuel supply to Gaza on October 9, 2023. In the aftermath, Palestinians are striving to rebuild their lives amidst limited resources, while electrical crews are laboring to restore power to parts of the Gaza Strip by repairing damaged power lines.
Living in a tent in a heavily bombed area of Gaza City, the Abu Naji family relies on the flickering light and warmth of their nighttime fire. Abu Naji brews tea and lentils over the fire, creating a semblance of a bedtime routine for her family that endured the ravages of war for two years.
In central Gaza, the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company is facing challenges in reinstating power due to the lack of necessary tools caused by border crossing closures. Despite this, efforts are underway to repair power lines and bring back electricity to the region.
Since the ceasefire, electricity from Israel is once again accessible, but repairs are crucial for proper distribution. Crews from the Gaza Electricity Company have begun maintenance work in areas like Deir al Balah, striving to restore essential services to civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Yasen Suwaihli supervises the crew’s work on fixing power lines on Salah el din road, aiming to reconnect power to the plant. However, they face obstacles such as equipment shortages, hindering their progress. Muhammad Thabet, an engineer at the site, stresses the urgent need for maintenance equipment and supplies to support the teams in rebuilding the power infrastructure.
Despite the challenges, the determination of the crews to restore electricity to Gaza remains unwavering. The destruction of the electricity infrastructure has posed severe challenges, emphasizing the critical role of electricity in ensuring access to basic necessities like clean water, food, healthcare, and economic recovery.
As the night deepens in Gaza City, Abu Naji tucks her children into bed, the fire extinguishing as darkness envelops them. Her primary concern is securing support for her children, who have lost everything. With these thoughts, the family drifts off to sleep in the shadowy quietude.
