Molly Ayala
Israel has been accused of controlling electricity in Gaza and using this control to restrict electricity supply to the region. Israel has denied this accusation, stating that Hamas should allocate funds for electricity rather than personal gain and military expenditure. Before the Israeli genocide, which started in October 2023, Gaza used to buy about 120 megawatts of electricity from Israel each month, with the Palestinian Authority (PA) paying approximately $11 million for this electricity. However, in October 2023, Israel cut off all power to Gaza, leaving nearly all of its 2.4 million residents without electricity. This has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with hospitals shutting down, food shortages worsening, and schools remaining closed or functioning at minimal capacity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Israel's commitment to supplying Gaza with electricity | Israel committed to supply Gaza with electricity as part of the Oslo Accords to help Gaza become independent. However, Israel stopped supplying electricity to Gaza in March 2025. |
| Cost of electricity supplied by Israel | Israel charged approximately $11 million per month for supplying electricity to Gaza, deducting the amount from Palestinian tax revenues it collected on the PA's behalf. |
| Electricity supply from other sources | Egypt has supplied electricity to Gaza in the past, and there have been discussions about it supplying electricity again in exchange for security demands. Qatar and Turkey have also provided funding for fuel. |
| Impact of electricity shortage | The electricity shortage in Gaza has led to a humanitarian crisis, affecting access to clean water, food, and education. It has also impacted the mental health of residents. |
| Reasons for electricity shortage | The electricity shortage is due to political tensions between Hamas and the PA, as well as the destruction of Gaza's power grid by Israel during the conflict. |
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What You'll Learn
Israel's control of Gaza's electricity supply
Israel has controlled access to the Gaza Strip for decades, and this includes the supply of electricity. The Palestinian Authority (PA) has historically purchased electricity from Israel and Egypt, which is then supplied to Gaza. However, the PA has often struggled to make payments, and Israel has been accused of using this control to exert pressure on Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007.
Before the Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalated in October 2023, Israel supplied Gaza with about 120 megawatts of electricity per month, covering around 30-50% of Gaza's energy needs. This supply came through ten power lines, for which the PA paid approximately $11 million per month, with the funds deducted from Palestinian tax revenues collected by Israel on the PA's behalf.
In October 2023, Israel cut off all power to Gaza, leaving nearly all of its 2.4 million residents without electricity. This decision was part of a broader context of escalating violence and tensions between Israel and Hamas. Israel has also been accused of directly targeting Gaza's power plant and electric power lines during conflicts, further reducing access to electricity for Palestinians in Gaza.
The lack of reliable electricity has severely impacted the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Hospitals have shut down due to fuel shortages, preventable deaths have increased, and residents have been left without clean drinking water as water pumps and desalination plants require electricity to operate. The lack of electricity has also disrupted education, with schools remaining closed or functioning at minimal capacity.
In recent years, there have been efforts to reduce reliance on Israeli electricity. In 2017, Egypt agreed to supply diesel fuel to Gaza, and solar energy has become an increasingly popular alternative. However, as of 2025, the energy crisis in Gaza persists, and humanitarian organizations continue to provide aid to alleviate the impact on civilians, particularly children, who have been severely affected by the lack of access to basic needs such as water, food, and education.
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The energy crisis in Gaza
Israel's Role in the Energy Crisis:
Israel has played a significant role in the energy crisis in Gaza. Israel controls all entry points into Gaza, allowing it to regulate the flow of supplies, humanitarian aid, and electricity into the region. This control has been leveraged to restrict fuel imports, impacting electricity production in Gaza. Accusations have been made that Israel's military forces have targeted the Gaza Power Plant and electric power lines during conflicts, further exacerbating the energy crisis. Israel has also been accused of blocking essential supplies, including electricity, water, and fuel, even after ceasefire agreements.
The Palestinian Authority's Position:
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has been involved in the energy crisis as well. The PA used to pay Israel for the electricity supplied to Gaza, with the amount deducted from Palestinian tax revenues collected by Israel on the PA's behalf. However, in April 2017, the PA ceased paying the electricity bills to Israel and Egypt, leading to a reduction in the electricity supply to Gaza. The PA and Hamas have had disputes over tax revenues and the management of the power plant, with the PA claiming that Hamas officials are incapable of running the plant efficiently.
Impact of the Energy Crisis:
Efforts to Mitigate the Crisis:
Some efforts have been made to alleviate the energy crisis in Gaza. Qatar and Turkey have provided financial support and fuel donations to help with electricity generation. Egypt has also supplied diesel fuel to Gaza, although this was contingent on security demands, including the extradition of wanted terrorists. The Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) and UNICEF have been actively providing humanitarian aid, medical treatment, and support to children and families affected by the crisis.
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The Oslo Accords
The accords also contained substantial provisions on economic matters and international aid. They envisioned economic development in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, introducing liberalized markets, sustaining democratic institutions, and protecting human rights. One of the notable outcomes was the creation of various authorities, including a Palestinian Electricity Authority, to promote economic growth and development in the Palestinian territories.
Despite the promising start, the Oslo Accords did not lead to a lasting peace. Critics argued that Palestinian violence against Israeli citizens increased, and the Palestinian Authority struggled to adequately police Gaza and the West Bank. In 1998, Palestinian officials accused Israel of not fully withdrawing its troops from Gaza and Hebron as stipulated in the accords. The complexities of the conflict and the strong disagreements over borders, Jerusalem, and refugee rights continued to pose significant challenges to the peace process.
Today, 30 years after the Oslo Accords, the Israeli-Palestinian landscape remains fraught with tension and violence, with little progress towards a comprehensive peace treaty.
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The role of Hamas
Hamas has been reliant on the PA to help provide electricity to Gaza. However, in April 2017, the PA ceased paying the electricity bills issued by the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC), leading to a reduction in the electricity supply to Gaza. This decision was temporarily reversed between January 2018 and April 2019, but the PA once again stopped paying the bills, resulting in another cut to the electricity supply.
Hamas has also been accused of mismanaging the electricity infrastructure in Gaza and not investing in the necessary upgrades and maintenance. For example, during the 2014 Gaza War, the Gaza Power Plant was hit by Israeli shelling, damaging its fire extinguishing systems and setting its fuel tanks ablaze. Instead of repairing the plant and improving its resilience, Hamas opted to rely on a single small fuel tank to operate it, making the plant more vulnerable to disruptions.
Additionally, Hamas has been criticized for diverting resources away from essential services like electricity to fund its military activities and attacks on Israel. Israel has accused Hamas of using the electricity supply to bolster its control of Gaza and finance its operations. In response, Israel has cut off fuel shipments and electricity supplies to Gaza, arguing that it will not provide resources that Hamas can use for terrorism and the construction of terror tunnels.
Hamas has denied these accusations and blamed Israel and the PA for the electricity crisis. It has threatened to renew violence if its demands are not met and has rejected proposals for an independent committee to manage Gaza until elections can be held. The situation has been further complicated by the involvement of other actors, such as Egypt, which has offered to supply electricity to Gaza in exchange for the extradition of wanted terrorists.
Overall, the role of Hamas in the electricity crisis in Gaza is multifaceted. While Hamas has been critical of Israel's decisions and has blamed others for the crisis, it has also been accused of mismanaging resources, diverting funds, and contributing to the deterioration of essential services like electricity. The complex dynamics between Hamas, the PA, Israel, and other regional actors have all played a role in the electricity situation in Gaza.
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The impact on humanitarian efforts
The ongoing electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip has had a profound impact on humanitarian efforts in the region. Israel's control of access to Gaza has allowed it to restrict the entry of fuel, humanitarian aid, and electricity. This has resulted in an energy crisis, with 2 million Palestinians lacking reliable access to essential resources. The electricity shortage has disrupted essential services such as healthcare, education, and water and sanitation infrastructure.
The lack of consistent electricity has led to hospital shutdowns, increasing preventable deaths. Medical centres rely on fuel-powered generators, and the blockade on fuel has severely impacted their operations. The situation has also affected water and sanitation services, as electricity is needed to operate water pumps and desalination plants. This has left residents without access to clean drinking water, contributing to dehydration, malnutrition, and the spread of infectious diseases.
The impact of the electricity crisis on schools has been significant. School closures and minimal functioning have disrupted the education of Gaza's children, affecting their future prospects. The lack of electricity has also taken a toll on the mental health of residents, with 92% reporting negative effects. Additionally, food shortages have been exacerbated as bakeries require electricity to operate, further worsening the humanitarian situation.
Humanitarian organisations, such as the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) and UNICEF, have faced challenges in delivering aid due to the electricity crisis. They have had to rely on generators and rechargeable batteries, and even then, the restricted entry of humanitarian aid has hindered their ability to provide relief. The electricity shortage has also impacted the distribution of vaccines, with UNICEF facing difficulties in reaching targeted children.
The energy crisis has led to a cycle of dependency and political tensions. Gaza's reliance on external fuel and electricity supplies has resulted in financial strain, with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas engaging in disputes over funding and control. This has further exacerbated the electricity crisis, as seen with the PA's cessation of payments for electricity in 2017, which temporarily reduced the supply from Israel.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Israel was not providing free electricity to Gaza. Before the Israeli genocide that started in October 2023, Gaza used to buy about 120 megawatts of electricity from Israel each month, with the Palestinian Authority (PA) paying approximately $11 million for this electricity.
Israel committed to supplying Gaza with electricity, water, and gas as part of the Oslo Accords, to help Gaza become independent.
Israel stopped supplying electricity to Gaza as part of its genocide that started in October 2023. Israel has also been accused of targeting the Gaza Power Plant and electric power lines during conflicts to reduce electricity access for Palestinians in Gaza.
The lack of reliable electricity has had severe humanitarian consequences in Gaza, impacting hospitals, water and sanitation infrastructure, food supplies, and education.
The electricity crisis in Gaza has led to calls for international intervention. UNICEF, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), and other humanitarian organizations are providing aid to children and families affected by the crisis. There have also been calls for Israel to ease its blockade and allow essential supplies, including electricity, to enter Gaza.
