The Dire State of Gaza’s Infrastructure: A Struggle for Survival

Over the past year, the infrastructure in Gaza has faced an unimaginable level of destruction. Once strained, it has now reached a breaking point, with essential services like electricity, water, hospitals, and roads either systematically destroyed or severely impaired. For many families, daily life has become a constant battle for survival, often dictated by the availability of generators and basic necessities.

Daily Life Under Duress

In Gaza, the routine has shifted dramatically. Families often organize their days around the sound of generators, which are increasingly rare due to fuel shortages. Parents and children spend hours waiting in line for just a few liters of unsafe water or basic food items like bread. Hospitals operate in near darkness, with medical staff relying on mobile phone flashlights to perform critical procedures. Once-bustling streets that carried children to school are now littered with debris.

An Always-Harsh Reality

Life in Gaza has never been simple. Even during periods labeled “normal” by the outside world, uncertainty loomed large. Planning for the future became an exercise in futility, as moments of calm were often fleeting. There were days when electricity was available, providing families with a brief sense of relief, but everyone remained aware that it could vanish in an instant.

A Fragile Infrastructure

The infrastructure in Gaza has been fragile long before the recent upheaval. Years of illegal blockades, military assaults, and restrictions on construction materials resulted in a system that was always patched together, operating on borrowed time. Recovery has been nearly impossible.

The Crisis of Electricity

The loss of electricity has been one of the most glaring consequences of the ongoing conflict. Gaza’s power plant, the only one in the region, has been severely compromised and has since shut down due to fuel shortages. Close to 80% of power transmission has been obliterated, leaving families to navigate life in pervasive darkness. A mother may only find the opportunity to charge her phone when a neighbor’s generator momentarily stirs to life, allowing her a brief connection to family.

Access to Safe Water

Water access has also seen a significant decline. The bombardment has damaged vital wells, desalination plants, and pumping stations, making it nearly impossible to extract or distribute clean water without electricity or fuel. Families have been seen lining up with plastic containers, waiting for water trucks that may or may not arrive. When they do, the water frequently smells salty or metallic, leaving families with no choice but to drink it. The impact is dire, with children falling ill from stomach infections and skin rashes becoming common as hygiene suffers.

The Healthcare Crisis

Hospitals that once operated under strain are now in full crisis mode. Throughout my recent visits to various medical facilities, many of which have been damaged or forced to close, the conditions were stark. Hospitals still functioning grapple with staggering shortages of medicine, equipment, and staff. The emotional weight of seeing overcrowded intensive care units, where patients are forced to share beds, is crushing. Vital equipment operates under the constant threat of power loss, making medical procedures a gamble. Healthcare teams face the heart-wrenching task of deciding who receives care and who must wait.

The Broader Impact

Beyond healthcare, the destruction of roads and public facilities has isolated Gaza. Streets filled with debris and sewage hinder ambulances and aid deliveries, while rubbish collection has largely come to a standstill, breeding disease. Telecommunication systems have been disrupted multiple times, cutting families off from emergency services and the outside world. The compounded effects of the ongoing bombardment are deliberate, aiming to paralyze everyday life in Gaza.

Interconnected Challenges

A failure in one area exacerbates problems in another. Without electricity, water cannot be pumped; without fuel, hospitals cannot operate; and without adequate roads, humanitarian aid cannot reach those in dire need. Each collapse accelerates the next, layering additional hardships on an already desperate situation.

Looking Towards the Future

As we near the end of 2025, it’s clear that Gaza’s infrastructure no longer supports even the basics of normal life; it barely sustains survival. The discussion around rebuilding must go beyond mere construction—it should encompass the restoration of essential services that enable people to live with dignity. This includes access to safe water, reliable electricity, functioning healthcare, and basic public amenities. Until these systems are restored, the residents of Gaza will continue to feel the repercussions of a year that has shaken the very foundations of their daily lives.

Key Takeaways

• Gaza’s infrastructure has suffered extensive damage, impacting daily survival.
• Access to electricity and clean water is severely limited, affecting families profoundly.
• Hospitals face unprecedented challenges, operating under crisis conditions.
• The destruction has not only disrupted healthcare but has also exacerbated social and public service issues.