In the vicinity of Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City, darkness envelops the surroundings as the Abu Naji family gathers around a modest fire within their tent. The night, unusually tranquil after enduring over two years of conflict, is punctuated only by the chirping of crickets and the crackling of the flames. Shrouq Abu Naji, in an effort to sustain the flickering light, hands her children a notebook for fuel.
Abu Naji lamented the prolonged absence of electricity, water, food, and fuel since the Israeli government ceased these essential supplies to Gaza on Oct. 9, 2023, following Hamas attacks on Israel. Despite the challenges, efforts are underway to restore power to parts of the Gaza Strip through the diligent work of electrical crews amidst a fragile ceasefire.
Living in a tent in a heavily bombarded area of Gaza City, the Abu Naji family relies on the warmth and illumination provided by the nightly fire. Amidst the darkness, Abu Naji prepares tea and lentils over the open flame, a semblance of normalcy in their bedtime routine after enduring the ravages of war for two years.
In central Gaza, the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company faces obstacles in re-establishing the power supply, citing equipment shortages exacerbated by border crossing closures. Despite these setbacks, crews are diligently working to repair damaged power lines and restore electricity to the region.
Yasen Suwaihli oversees the maintenance work on power lines in central Gaza, where efforts are focused on reviving basic services for the populace. Challenges persist, including limited access to necessary equipment, hindering the swift progress of the restoration efforts.
The Gaza Electricity Distribution Company awaits additional equipment from Ramallah, north of Jerusalem, to facilitate the repair works. The scarcity of maintenance tools and machines poses significant hurdles, with over 52 power poles destroyed, representing a substantial portion of the overall power infrastructure.
Although beset by difficulties, the dedication of the crews remains unwavering in their mission to bring back electricity to the Gaza Strip. The essential role of electricity in sustaining life, ensuring access to vital resources like clean water, food, healthcare, and fostering economic recovery, underscores the urgency of restoring power to the region.
As night falls in Gaza City, Abu Naji tucks her children into bed, the fire dwindling as darkness envelops the family. Her primary concern now is to secure a future for her children, who have been deprived of their fundamental rights amidst the hardships. With a heavy heart, Abu Naji bids farewell to the dying embers, her family drifting into slumber in the dimly lit tent.
