The first local radio stations in the Gaza Strip are resuming broadcasts after a nearly two-year hiatus due to the war between Hamas and Israel – though FM antennae remain scarce.
In a modest studio on the sixth floor of a building ravaged by war, Emad Nour's voice echoes.
The presenter, who works for Sawt Al Quds radio, tells listeners the good news: electricity is slowly coming back.
Gaza had around 20 local radio stations before Israel began its offensive in response to deadly attacks by Hamas in October 2023.
All ceased broadcasting as Israeli strikes intensified – cutting off a vital source of information about which areas had been hit, where aid was being distributed, or even health advice in a territory where people have limited access to media.
"In the aftermath of a devastating war, people living in difficult conditions told us they were sorry we weren't covering their struggles and suffering anymore," said Nour.
"They told us they loved us and needed our voice."
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From FM to internet
The station resumed broadcasting in January, starting with a tribute to colleagues killed, injured or imprisoned during the war.
With almost all FM antennae destroyed, its shows are broadcast online.
Listener Reema Salem said: "I recently saw videos of the Sawt Al Quds team on social media, and when I heard the sound of their programme, I was so moved."
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The radio station Voice of the People is also limited to broadcasting pre-recorded programmes online for now, said its journalist Ramzi Abdallah.
"We want to return to FM, but the transmitter isn't ready," he said. "Some equipment was lost in the war, mainly during Israeli raids."
With regular internet outages, Gazans' access to radio remains spotty. Only one station, Zaman FM, has so far returned to broadcasting over traditional FM.
This article has been adapted from the original version in French by Remi El Meghari in Gaza and Aabla Jounaïdi in Paris.
