GAZA CITY — As Palestinians in the Gaza Strip start the new year, they have dreams about what they would like to see in 2014. What the Palestinians want is simple, but many believe that it will be hard to obtain. This is not because the goals are impossible, but because of the inability of Palestinian officials to achieve them.

All the Palestinians that Al-Monitor met at the start of the new year agreed that one of their primary wishes is to enjoy electricity at their homes and businesses without the repeated interruptions. They all wish for the electricity problem that has plagued the sector for more than seven years be solved.

Adel al-Zaim, 36, who works in a clothing store and has three sons, told Al-Monitor: “My only wish for this new year is to have electricity in my house for 24 hours, even if for just one day a month. The electricity [problem] is causing us psychological problems. My children have memorized the electricity rationing schedule.”

Gaza’s population of 1.8 million generally share Adel’s view about the electricity, whose situation worsens in winter and summer due to the increased demand for heating and cooling. Some areas get electricity for only eight hours a day.