The war in Gaza has created new jobs, such as a makeshift charging station operator and a repairman for old batteries. Gaza: Damage to power grid during war estimated at $450 million Peace and Security
The energy crisis in Gaza has been ongoing since the start of the Israeli invasion in October 2023, with the power grid and the infrastructure that serves it severely damaged in all the cities in the strip. According to Gaza Electricity, the initial damage in the areas that repair crews have managed to reach is estimated at $450 million, with destruction reaching 80 percent.
There are hardly any lamp posts or street lights left in Gaza – most have been either destroyed or badly damaged during more than 14 months of fighting. The crisis has forced locals to look for alternative energy sources, primarily solar panels. In addition, new professions have emerged in the Strip, such as operators of makeshift charging stations and battery repairmen.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is making intensive efforts to restore basic services in Gaza, despite significant destruction and ongoing restrictions on the import of essential equipment. The electricity crisis remains one of the most pressing problems in the sector, and there are no easy solutions to the current situation, so Gazans continue to fight the darkness on their own, sometimes using the most primitive means.