Gaza’s suffering continues as it is plunged into darkness, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis already on the brink of collapse. With more than two million people struggling, Gaza faces a dire shortage of electricity, clean water, and medical supplies. This crisis was intensified by the systematic destruction of power infrastructure by Israeli forces, leaving the region without basic necessities for months.

The daily challenges are overwhelming for Gaza's residents. The prolonged power outages have crippled daily life, forcing families to rely on alternative energy sources like generators and candles. However, these sources are insufficient to meet the needs of an entire population. Mohammed Maqdad, a resident of Gaza City, described the grim reality: “We cannot live like this. Many of us are forced to spend nights in complete darkness, which deepens the psychological toll, especially on children who live in constant fear.”

The education system has also been severely impacted, with many schools either destroyed or converted into shelters. The Ministry of Education introduced online learning programs, but power shortages hindered their effectiveness. Reem Fathi, a mother in Gaza City, highlighted how the power crisis disrupted her children’s education: “We rely on candlelight for a few hours, and then we’re in total darkness, unable to help our children with their lessons.”

Gaza's healthcare system is facing a critical situation, with hospitals struggling to function due to fuel shortages. Emergency generators are on the brink of failure, and medical supplies remain blocked from entering the region. The lack of desalination plants has exacerbated the water crisis, forcing families to pay inflated prices for drinking water. Imad Abdullah, a Gaza City resident, expressed the growing frustration: “I can’t afford drinking water, it’s too expensive.”

This crisis, deeply rooted in the longstanding energy shortages since the Israeli bombing of Gaza's sole power plant in 2006, has been compounded by the ongoing conflict. With no solution in sight, Gaza’s residents are calling for the international community to act decisively. Yousef Al-Farani stated, “We need a permanent restoration of electricity, not temporary fixes.”

Despite the overwhelming challenges, the people of Gaza remain resilient. “We will endure,” Al-Farani declared, echoing the unwavering determination of those who refuse to abandon their land.