On the solemn anniversary of a full year since the brutal and inhumane Israeli assault on Gaza began, the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company has issued a heartfelt statement mourning the victims of the ongoing Israeli aggression.
In their message, they paid tribute to the lives lost, those injured, and those imprisoned, while shedding light on the catastrophic toll this war has taken on the power infrastructure of the region.
From the very first day of the assault, the statement revealed, Israeli forces intentionally cut Gaza’s electricity, plunging the entire strip into complete darkness for over a year.
This blackout has not only affected daily life but also endangered the survival of an already vulnerable population, compounding their suffering amid a relentless blockade.
Gaza’s Power Grid
The war has left Gaza’s electrical infrastructure in ruins. According to the company, the destruction has affected nearly 70% of its medium-voltage and transmission networks.
Seventy percent of the company’s buildings and 90% of its warehouses and storage facilities have been obliterated. The devastation extends to the company’s operational capabilities, with 82% of its vehicles and equipment rendered unusable.
The sheer scale of the destruction is staggering. More than 830 kilometers of medium-voltage lines, 2,700 kilometers of low-voltage networks, and over 2,100 transformers have been destroyed.
The loss of these critical components has paralyzed the electricity supply, further isolating Gaza from essential services like healthcare, water supply, and emergency response.
Human Cost
Beyond the physical damage to infrastructure, the company’s statement highlighted the immense human toll this war has taken on its employees.
Over 55 staff members and contractors have been killed by Israeli air strikes while attempting to restore power and protect what remains of Gaza’s fragile grid.
An additional 57 have been injured while performing their duties under life-threatening conditions.
Many of the company’s employees have lost family members, homes, and personal property. For those who have survived, the trauma runs deep.
“The psychological scars from this war will be with them for life,” the statement said, underscoring the profound emotional damage that extends beyond the physical ruins.
Destroyed Facilities
In addition to the human loss, the company reported the total destruction of two of its major buildings, while seven others sustained severe partial damage.
The warehouses and storage facilities, vital to maintenance and operations, were completely leveled. Among the destroyed assets were more than 235,000 electricity meters, key to the distribution of power to homes and businesses.
Despite these challenges, the company has been working around the clock to secure what remains of the electrical infrastructure. Their priority has been to prevent further damage to already compromised networks and to assist humanitarian organizations in providing aid to displaced residents living in shelters.
Hope Amid Darkness
Amid the devastation, the power company has undertaken several community projects aimed at easing the suffering of Gaza’s population. One notable initiative was the repair of the power grid feeding the desalination plant in western Deir al-Balah, ensuring clean water for displaced families.
This project, which now supports over 1.5 million people, has provided a glimmer of hope in a region struggling with extreme shortages of both electricity and water.
The company emphasized that it has met its obligations, completing repairs on the lines that power the desalination plant. Now, they call on the international community to fulfill their commitments and ensure that electricity continues to flow to the plant.
A Plea to the World
In their final appeal, the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company issued an urgent call to the global community. “We ask all people of conscience and international organizations to intervene immediately to fulfill promises made, to ensure the operation of the power lines, and to allow the electricity to flow,” they urged.
The statement closed with a powerful plea for an end to the suffering endured by the people of Gaza. For over a year, they have lived in darkness, both literal and metaphorical. The company’s message was clear: the time has come for the world to act, to lift Gaza out of this abyss, and to restore light to a people who have suffered far too long.
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