The Gaza Strip is currently facing an unprecedented energy crisis. Since the siege imposed by Israel on October 9, electricity supplies have been cut, leading to the closure of the region’s only power plant. The consequences of this situation are disastrous for the inhabitants of Gaza, who find themselves plunged into darkness and helpless in the face of their deteriorating living conditions.
In this struggle to maintain contact with their loved ones, Gazans have adopted an ingenious strategy: recharging their phones in the street. Despite the Israeli strikes which resonate day and night, the moments of respite are taken advantage of to try to resume a semblance of normal life. Socket multipliers are installed in the streets, powered by the batteries of the few cars still in working order. Residents then queue for hours to recharge their phones, their only means of communication with the outside world.
These endless queues bear witness to the distress of Gazans, who are desperate to get news of their loved ones and to reassure each other. “I’m here to recharge my cell phone and contact my family,” explains one of them. “Yesterday, my house was destroyed and I fear that some of my relatives were killed. It is distressing not to know what happened to them.”
However, even with a phone charged to 20%, the situation remains precarious. Another resident says: “With this battery level, I can still contact the rest of my family. But I haven’t been able to reach them yet, I don’t know where they are.” Families had to hastily leave the northern Gaza Strip, without knowing where to find safe refuge. This uncertainty adds an additional dose of anxiety to a population already weakened by years of blockade and conflict.
The closure of Gaza’s only power plant has dramatic consequences on the daily lives of residents. Water is also rationed, with only a two-hour supply every other day. “We need electricity to pump water,” says a resident, emphasizing the devastating impact of this energy crisis on the health and well-being of the population.
This desperate situation is experienced by 2.4 million Gazans who are now impatiently awaiting the arrival of humanitarian aid. But despite the efforts of international organizations, the distribution of this aid remains limited by the blockade and the complexity of the political situation in the region.
The energy crisis in Gaza is a grim reminder of the daily reality experienced by many populations around the world, who struggle to access basic services such as electricity and water. This situation highlights the need for international action to end humanitarian crises and work to build a more just and equitable world.