By Quds News Network
Misinformation has circulated online, claiming that Israel supplies electricity to Gaza for free or as a humanitarian effort. In reality, the situation is entirely different.
Does Israel Provide Electricity to Gaza?
Before the Israeli genocide, which started in October 2023, Gaza used to buy about 120 megawatts of electricity from Israel each month. The Palestinian Authority (PA) paid approximately $11 million for this electricity, with Israel deducting the amount from Palestinian tax revenues it collects on the PA’s behalf. This supply came through ten power lines and covered about half of Gaza’s energy needs.
In October 2023, Israel cut off all power to Gaza as part of its genocide. This decision left nearly all of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents without electricity. By December 2024, Israel restored one power line to supply a desalination and wastewater treatment plant. This was done due to sanitation concerns and fears that worsening conditions could impact Israeli prisoners held in Gaza.
Doron Arbel, the head of the Israeli Electric Corporation, stated that there is currently no electrical line transmitting power from Israel to Gaza, and they do not maintain the electricity network there at all. “Most of the electricity provided in Gaza comes from rooftop solar panels or electrical generators,” he added.
He also mentioned that the power line supplying the water desalination plant in Gaza with Israeli electricity has been disconnected. This plant, the only one in Gaza that relied on Israeli electricity, had been operating and providing water since July. However, it has now stopped working.
Israel’s Contradictory Announcements
Despite already cutting off Gaza’s power, Israel announced in March 2025 that it would stop supplying electricity to the strip. Analysts believe this statement was meant for internal Israeli audiences, suggesting pressure on Hamas in negotiations.
Before Israel’s blockade, Gaza needed and used to pay for around 500 megawatts of electricity daily. Only 212 megawatts were available:
- 120 megawatts purchased from Israel.
- 32 megawatts purchased from Egypt.
- 60 megawatts generated by Gaza’s sole power plant.
Even with this limited supply, power cuts were common. Residents received electricity in eight-hour intervals, which dropped to six hours during peak summer and winter demand. Many relied on private generators, but Israel’s blockade of fuel has made that impossible since the war began.
Since October 2023, Israel has destroyed much of Gaza’s power grid. According to the spokesperson for the Gaza Electricity Company, Mohamed Thabet:
- 70% of distribution networks, totaling 3,680 kilometers, have been damaged, with losses exceeding $450 million.
- There have been 51 martyrs among the company’s staff and employees.
- 90% of the company’s storage facilities have been destroyed.
- 80% of its vehicles and equipment have been lost.
- No spare parts or equipment have been allowed in for repairs. Without urgent intervention, Gaza’s electricity crisis will continue to worsen.
Consequences of Power Cuts
The lack of electricity has led to severe humanitarian consequences:
Hospitals in Crisis: Medical centers rely on fuel-powered generators. Israel’s blockade of fuel has led to hospital shutdowns, increasing preventable deaths.
Water and Sanitation Breakdown: Without electricity, water pumps and desalination plants cannot operate, leaving residents without clean drinking water. Sewage treatment plants have also failed, causing wastewater to flood streets and spread diseases.
Food Shortages and Starvation: Bakeries cannot operate without power, worsening food shortages. Limited humanitarian aid and Israel’s continued blockade have pushed Gaza to famine.
School Closures: The lack of electricity has disrupted education. Schools remain closed or function at minimal capacity, impacting the future of Gaza’s children.
On January 19, 2025, a ceasefire agreement facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States temporarily halted fighting. However, Israel has not fully honored the terms, leading to worsening humanitarian conditions.
Despite growing international pressure, Israel continues to block essential supplies, including electricity, water, and fuel. The situation remains dire, with no clear resolution in sight.
11 March 2025
Source: countercurrents.org