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

What the report says

In Gaza City, Palestinians are increasingly renting generators by the hour to meet basic household needs after widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure left many without reliable electricity or water, Al Jazeera reports. The article, published on 12 September 2026, describes residents in the Nassr area waiting in turn to use a small generator to power a water pump and fill rooftop tanks. One resident, Hajj Rabhi al-Fairi, said his family returned home after fleeing during Israel’s assault and found extensive damage and no functioning municipal services.

Al Jazeera says the shortage of power has created a small but essential rental market. Khalil Abu Ouda, who moves a generator between homes on a horse-drawn cart, told the outlet that demand is high, but spare parts, fuel and repairs are hard to obtain because of the siege and broader shortages. The report says hourly generator rental prices have risen, excluding the cost of diesel, adding to the burden on families who must also supply their own fuel.

The story places this within a wider collapse of everyday household life in Gaza. Al Jazeera also highlights displaced residents using paid laundry services because washing at home is difficult or impossible without power and water. The outlet cites recent UN and local damage assessments showing severe water shortages and extensive housing damage, underscoring why routine chores now require cash payments for services once handled inside the home.

The report suggests the generator economy reflects both the loss of basic infrastructure and the strain on families trying to remain in or return to damaged neighborhoods.