{
  "id": 700812,
  "title": "Even if you get chickenpox, you have to endure it… A Gaza summer that leaves scars on your face and heart\n\nThe sweltering summer heat in the Gaza Strip is suffocating.\nIn this densely populated area, with a population of 2 million and a size of 365 square kilometers,\nthe narrow streets are filled with people, and the temperature soars to over 38 degrees Celsius every day.\nThe heat index, which takes into account the humidity, makes it feel like over 40 degrees.\nIn such scorching heat, the residents of Gaza have to spend their summer.\n\nGaza's power generation capacity has been significantly reduced due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas that began in 2007.\nCurrently, Gaza generates only 50 megawatts of electricity per day,\nwhile its demand is 450-500 megawatts, seven to eight times more.\nAs a result, the Gaza Strip has been suffering from chronic power shortages.\n\nIn the past, Gaza's residents used to suffer from power outages for 8-12 hours a day.\nHowever, in the past year, with the help of UNRWA,\nGaza has been able to avoid power outages of more than 8 hours.\nDespite this, the lives of Gaza's residents have not become easier.\nThe chronic power shortage has become a chronic problem.\n\nThe power outage schedule, which was previously 3-4 hours in the morning and 3-4 hours in the evening,\nhas now been extended to 6-8 hours in the morning and 6-8 hours in the evening.\nEven when power is supplied, the voltage is low,\nso even major hospitals and dialysis centers cannot operate normally.\n\nThe lives of Gaza's residents are getting more difficult day by day.\nThe water shortage is also severe.\nThe desalination plant, which supplies 20,000 cubic meters of water per day,\nonly produces 5,000 cubic meters of water due to the power shortage.\nAs a result, residents have to buy water from private water suppliers at a high price.\n\nThe difficult situation in Gaza has been exacerbated by the recent heatwave.\nThe heatwave has caused a surge in demand for electricity and water,\nwhich has further worsened the chronic shortages.\nThe situation is so dire that even basic medical care is not available.\n\nGaza's hospitals are overflowing with patients,\nand medical staff are working in extreme conditions without air conditioning.\nThe lack of electricity and water has made it difficult to maintain proper hygiene,\nwhich has led to the spread of diseases such as diarrhea and chickenpox.\n\nThe Gaza Strip's healthcare system is on the brink of collapse.\nThe chronic shortages of electricity, water, and medical supplies\nhave made it difficult to provide proper medical care.\nThe situation is dire, and the international community must take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of Gaza's residents.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/story-700812",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T19:27:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hankyoreh",
    "slug": "hankyoreh",
    "url": "https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/international/international_general/1272666.html"
  },
  "original_language": "ko",
  "account": null,
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}