As night falls near Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City, the Abu Naji family gathers around a small fire in their tent. The usual sounds of war are replaced by a rare silence, broken only by the chirping of crickets and the crackling of the fire. Shrouq Abu Naji, the mother, hands her children a notebook to tear out pages for fuel as they have been without electricity for years.
Following the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel in October 2023, the Israeli government decided to cut off essential supplies, including electricity, water, food, and fuel to Gaza. While Palestinians struggle to rebuild their lives during a fragile ceasefire, efforts are underway to restore power to parts of the Gaza Strip.
Living in a tent in a heavily bombed area, the Abu Naji family relies on the warmth and light from their nighttime fire. The routine of brewing tea and cooking lentils provides a sense of normalcy for the family after enduring two years of conflict.
In central Gaza, the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company faces challenges in restoring power due to damaged infrastructure. Crews are working diligently to repair power lines and bring electricity back to the region. Despite obstacles such as equipment shortages and destroyed power poles, the teams remain committed to restoring electricity to the Gaza Strip.
The critical role of electricity in providing access to basic necessities like clean water, food, and healthcare is emphasized as efforts continue to bring back power to the region. As darkness envelops Gaza City, Abu Naji focuses on caring for her children, emphasizing their loss of basic rights and the need for support before they drift off to sleep in the darkness.