A farmer is using irrigation which has been severely affected by the electricity crisis. Photo credit the Agricultural Development Association (PARC).Families in Gaza are living on as little as three hours of electricity per day. Gaza’s only power plant completely shut down in April due to lack of fuel and has barely been functioning since. In June, the Israeli Authorities halved the power supply to Gaza, at the Palestinian Authority’s request to reduce payments. Once again, ordinary Palestinians are suffering the consequences of an over 10 year-long blockade and ongoing political tensions. This is having a devastating impact on the daily lives of people, affecting healthcare, water systems and the ability to live and work.
The Culture and Free Thought Association, a Gaza based charity for children and young people, has said that the electricity situation has worsened since 2006 when Israeli Forces launched missiles at the power plant. They report that since then, “electricity has been used as a measure of collective punishment in the Gaza Strip”. Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem, warns that “the situation in Gaza will deteriorate further, making the area virtually unliveable”.
Only 3% of the water in Gaza is suitable for consumption, with just 10% of the population having access to safe drinking water. This is due to high salinity and damaged sewage systems following repeated military offensives, which are now unable to function with the lack of electricity and are pumping raw sewage into the sea.
