In a significant development for media in the Gaza Strip, a local radio station has resumed broadcasting after a nearly two-year hiatus caused by the ongoing conflict. This marks a gradual effort to revive the media landscape in the war-ravaged territory, which has experienced widespread destruction of infrastructure and civilian institutions due to Israeli attacks.
Zaman FM, located in Gaza City’s Tel al-Hawa neighborhood, is now the only radio station broadcasting on FM from within Gaza. Previously, 23 local radio stations operated in the region before the conflict, but all were destroyed and ceased broadcasting.
“Today, we are the only radio station broadcasting on FM from within Gaza after this widespread destruction,” a station representative told UN News. “We hope that other local radio stations will resume broadcasting, thus allowing competition in providing media services to the people of the Gaza Strip.”
The resumption of broadcasting comes just ahead of World Radio Day, observed on February 13. It highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Gaza’s media infrastructure, even as local and international calls grow to support journalism as part of broader recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Digging Through the Rubble
The station’s building bears the scars of immense destruction, with cracked walls and a working environment unlike any other radio studio globally. Employees are actively digging through rubble to maintain broadcasts, operating with minimal technical resources. Awareness posters warning of the dangers of dilapidated buildings are visible in the background.
On-Air Messages of Hope
Local radio remains a vital communication channel in Gaza, particularly as humanitarian crises persist, power outages are frequent, and access to other media is limited. This makes radio an effective medium for disseminating crucial public messages, including health guidance and information about essential services.
Mr. Al-Sharafi, the director of Zaman FM and host of the morning program “An Hour of Time,” emphasized the critical need for professional local radio stations capable of broadcasting awareness messages and guidance bulletins. This is especially important given the spread of diseases, the deteriorating education system, and the disruption of many basic services.
“We need to deliver information to the population and guide them to the services that have stopped and are gradually being resumed,” Al-Sharafi stated. “Especially in light of the difficult health conditions and the spread of epidemics.”
Amidst the surrounding devastation, Al-Sharafi continues to broadcast from his dust-covered microphone, offering morning greetings and important updates to Gaza residents. His efforts bring a much-needed sense of hope to the airwaves across a landscape slowly beginning its recovery.
