Internally displaced people in the Gaza Strip are enduring unimaginable suffering as winter sets in, with candles the only means of light in their tents amidst the ongoing power outages. Since October 7, 2023, when the genocidal war escalated, the Israeli occupation has intensified its siege on Gaza, preventing the entry of fuel to operate the region's only power plant. As a result, Gaza has been plunged into total darkness for 16 months.

When night falls, Ibrahim Al-Madhoun, a resident of the Beach Refugee Camp, becomes engulfed with fear for his children’s safety. He lights a candle to illuminate his tent, knowing the risk of fire it brings. “I’m afraid the wind will blow the candle over and it will burn my children,” he says, adding that he extinguishes the candle before going to sleep, leaving his family in complete darkness, without any protection from the winter cold.

Al-Madhoun recalls a recent incident when his tent almost caught fire as a strong gust of wind knocked over the candle. Fortunately, he was quick to act and saved his daughter from harm. His plea for help is clear: he urges authorities to provide safer lighting for the tents to protect families like his from the constant danger.

Similarly, Emad Abu Aoun, who lives with his family of seven in a three-square-meter tent, faces the same terrifying uncertainty each night. Forced to use candles as a source of light, Abu Aoun has been living in the Beach Refugee Camp since October 6, 2024, after being displaced from Jabalia due to the ongoing Israeli military operation. For over three months, he has relied on candles, despite the risks, as there are no alternatives. The financial burden is heavy, as each candle costs three shekels, further deepening the hardships of families already grappling with extreme poverty.

Samih Alian, another displaced resident, shares the same sense of dread. Living with his family in a tent, he fears for the safety of his children every time a candle is lit. His mobile phone's light serves as a temporary solution, but it is not enough to last through the long, dark hours. Unable to sleep, Alian constantly checks on his family, haunted by the thought of a disaster waiting to happen. “How long will we remain in this situation? Will we wait until a fire destroys everything?” he asks.

The situation is urgent. The displaced people of Gaza's camps are calling for immediate action from the authorities and international organizations to provide safe and sustainable lighting alternatives. The ongoing darkness not only hides their suffering but magnifies it, increasing the dangers they face and the emotional toll on their families. The "candle nightmare" is a threat to their lives that must be addressed before it’s too late.