GAZA STRIP, May 12 -- Palestinian students study their school lessons at their home as they light candles during power cut in Gaza City here, Tuesday. --fotoBERNAMA (2011) COPYRIGHT RESERVED *** Local Caption *** University and school students are negatively impacted by this crunch. They defy the electricity unavailability by running their generators most of which are smuggled through the tunnels beneath Rafah borders with Egypt. Unable to pay the costs of the generators, the indigent students light their homes with candles and stare at their books to continue their assignments. Others invent home-made gas lights and oil lamps which are known for its great peril. "I often return to home late because I have to stay in the university to use the computer. The power might be cut in our home, but there is a big generation in the university," said university sophomore student Bayan Al-Zemali. General secondary students, who are going to take their exams next July, try to invest their time to pass a key stage in their life. They are very upset with the bad circumstances they live. Annoyed either by the blackout or the piercing sounds of the generators, they look for a time in which they have a moment of concentration. Once the light is on, they breath with a sigh of comfort. Hamza Mohseen, a general secondary student, cares very much about the scheduled electricity. He and his classmate, Rayed, study together in one of their families home in rotation depending on the house which is supplied with power. "We are very sick with this situation. Even if we run the generator, we cannot tolerate the noise," said Hamza."power cut is a major reason behind distraction," he added.

photographed by: Saleh Jadallah