By Mohammad Abu QamarPublished On 24 Mar 202624 Mar 2026Gaza City – Palestinians in Gaza say the cost of electricity provided by private generators has surged, even as residents increasingly rely on them after Israel’s genocidal war on the enclave destroyed its public power network.With fuel supplies severely limited and prices at record highs compared with pre-war levels, the cost of electricity has risen sharply. The price per kilowatt-hour has increased from about 2.5 shekels ($0.80) to between 20 and 30 shekels ($7 and $10) – nearly 10 times higher – placing it beyond the reach of many households.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listThe price means that many Palestinians, already suffering from a war-induced economic crisis, have to seek alternatives.Abdullah Jamal, a baker, is one of them. He feeds wood into a small oven to keep it burning as he prepares bread for displaced families living nearby.“Palestinians in Gaza have been pushed to search for alternatives for cooking and baking,” says Abdullah of the gas crisis that has now stretched beyond two years.He adds that people continue to ration gas use despite limited quantities being allowed into the enclave in recent months, fearing supplies could be cut off again.Although Israeli forces have permitted some fuel and gas shipments since the October “truce” agreement with Hamas, Palestinian sources say that only 14.7 percent of the amount agreed upon in the “ceasefire’s” humanitarian protocol has entered the territory.Limited supplies, rising costsAbdullah says the small quantities of gas reaching Gaza are distributed to households, with each family receiving just 8kg (17lbs), delivered every two to three months. Advertisement He earns about $10 a day, money he cannot afford to squander on extra gas or power.Nearby, another young man sells bottles of diesel to vehicle owners.Fuel prices remain volatile. At the height of the war, as a result of Israeli import restrictions, diesel reac …
