Left with nothing, people in Gaza are forced to rent generators by the hour

What Happened

Residents in the Nassr neighbourhood of Gaza City are increasingly reliant on mobile, generator-powered services to perform basic household tasks, such as pumping water to rooftop tanks and washing clothes, due to the destruction of municipal infrastructure. According to residents like Hajj Rabhi al-Fairi and service provider Khalil Abu Ouda, the cost of renting a generator has risen to between 100 and 120 shekels ($33-40) per hour, excluding fuel costs, as spare parts and diesel remain scarce under the ongoing Israeli siege. A United Nations assessment reported that 91 percent of surveyed households in Gaza experienced moderate-to-high water shortages as of early August, while approximately 60 percent of inspected housing units have been rendered uninhabitable.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The collapse of essential public services, including electricity and water, has forced a transition to a costly, informal economy for basic survival. This shift highlights the long-term humanitarian impact of the destruction of civilian infrastructure, which has rendered daily life unsustainable for the majority of the population in Gaza.

Watch For

Monitor further reports from UN agencies regarding the status of water and sanitation infrastructure, as well as potential shifts in the availability of fuel and spare parts which directly dictate the feasibility of these private, generator-based services.