In the vicinity of Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City, darkness envelops the street as the Abu Naji family gathers around a modest fire in their tent. The night is unusually tranquil after enduring more than two years of conflict, with only the chirping of crickets and the crackling of the fire breaking the silence. Shrouq Abu Naji hands her children a notebook to tear pages from, the sole method of sustaining the flickering flame.
Lacking electricity for an extended period, Abu Naji shared with CBC freelance videographer Mohamed El Saife their plight on Wednesday, post the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 9, 2023, when the Israeli government ceased the supply of electricity, water, food, and fuel to Gaza. While Palestinians strive to reconstruct their lives amidst a fragile truce and limited resources, teams of electrical workers have commenced efforts to reinstate power to sections of the Gaza Strip by repairing power lines.
For the Abu Naji family, dwelling in a tent in a heavily bombarded area of Gaza City, their only source of warmth and light remains the nightly fire. Abu Naji brews tea and lentils on the open flame, a semblance of routine for the family that endured the turmoil of war for two years. Their nightly ritual consists of sharing a meal and a cup of tea before retiring for the night.
In central Gaza, the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company (GEDCO), responsible for supplying power to the region, faces challenges in restoring electricity post-ceasefire. While electricity is once again available from Israel and a small power plant operates in Gaza City, repairs are necessary for distribution.
Crews from the Gaza Electricity Company recently ventured into the town of Deir al Balah for the first time since the conflict erupted, focusing on central Gaza, about 20 kilometers south of Gaza City, an area relatively spared from severe damage. Supervised by Yasen Suwaihli, workers conduct maintenance on power lines to restore essential services to Gaza’s residents.
Despite encountering obstacles, including a lack of equipment, Muhammad Thabet, an engineer overseeing the operations in the Zuwaida neighborhood, expressed the urgent need for maintenance supplies and machines. The company awaits additional equipment from Ramallah, north of Jerusalem, yet clearance delays hinder their progress. Nevertheless, the crews persist in their mission to revive electricity in the Gaza Strip, despite over 52 power poles being destroyed, accounting for a significant portion of the power infrastructure.
The essential role of electricity in facilitating access to clean water, food, healthcare, and economic recovery underscores the urgency of restoring power to Gaza. Amidst the challenges, the teams remain resolute in their commitment to bringing back electricity to the region.
As night falls in Gaza City, Abu Naji readies her children for bed as the fire dwindles, enveloping the family in darkness. Her primary concern now is securing a better future for her children, recognizing their loss of basic rights and resources. With these thoughts lingering, the family eventually drifts off to sleep as darkness engulfs their tent.