Electricity tops Gaza residents' demands, hope pinned on new phase to end years of darkness

Gaza residents pin hopes on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement to end the electricity crisis that has paralyzed daily life. Citizens recount their suffering from power outages and high electricity prices from private companies (25-30 shekels per kilowatt). Before the war, the chronic deficit was 200-250 megawatts against a need of 400-500 megawatts. The war destroyed the system, with electricity sector losses exceeding $728 million and 70% of networks destroyed. An expert calls for resuming supply from Israel and Egypt, allowing fuel in, and supporting solar energy.

Residents of the Gaza Strip pin great hopes on the start of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, hoping for radical changes in their living conditions, which have deteriorated unprecedentedly during the years of war. The electricity file tops the priorities that citizens await to be resolved urgently, given its direct impact on various aspects of life. The power outage has caused widespread paralysis in daily life, affecting medical and economic services, and disrupting water pumping stations, sewage treatment, and seawater desalination. Citizen Abu Ahmed Aashour, a father of five, recounts his suffering: "We live in near-permanent darkness, cannot operate basic appliances, and even water reaches us only with difficulty." He adds that the price of one kilowatt ranges between 25 and 30 shekels, an amount beyond his means. The repercussions were not limited to citizens but extended to the private sector. Fadi Abed, owner of a sewing factory, says: "During the war, our work almost completely stopped due to power outages." With some relief after the ceasefire, the factory returned to partial operation, but it is forced to buy electricity from private companies at a very high cost. Before the war, the Gaza Strip already suffered from a chronic electricity deficit, relying on limited sources. Israeli lines were the largest source with a capacity of 120 megawatts, Egyptian lines 20-30 megawatts, the local generation plant 60-80 megawatts, in addition to solar energy. However, total available electricity did not exceed 200-250 megawatts, while actual need ranged between 400 and 500 megawatts. With the outbreak of war, the system collapsed completely. According to data from the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company, losses exceeded $728 million, about 70% of networks were damaged, more than 80% of sector components, and over 5,000 kilometers of networks and about 2,200 transformers were destroyed. Energy expert Eng. Fathi Sheikh Khalil stresses that solving the electricity crisis must be a "top priority," calling for resuming electricity supply from the occupied interior with a capacity of 120 megawatts, resuming Egyptian supply of about 30 megawatts, and allowing fuel in. He also calls for supporting the spread of solar energy systems, noting that the war destroyed a complete project in the Khuz'a area that spanned 24 dunams and cost $2 million.