From the rubble, the show must go on for one of Gaza's surviving radio stations
#Gaza radio #Zaman FM #Dr. Rami al-Ashrafi #Gaza ceasefire #media resilience #humanitarian communication #unexploded ordnance #Ramadan in Gaza
📌 Key Takeaways
- Zaman FM resumed broadcasting after two years of silence following the outbreak of war
- The station operates from a severely damaged building with limited reach and reduced staff
- It provides crucial information about unexploded ordnance and daily life updates
- Despite its limitations, the station has become an important source of comfort for Gaza residents
- The return of radio broadcasting represents a small step toward normalcy in war-torn Gaza
📖 Full Retelling
Dr. Rami al-Ashrafi resumed broadcasting his radio show on Zaman FM from a damaged building in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City on February 21, 2026, six weeks after the largely holding ceasefire began, as part of efforts to revive Gaza's media landscape devastated by two years of war following Israel's response to the Oct. 7 terror attacks. The station, which was once one of Gaza's most listened-to independent radio outlets, fell silent when the conflict erupted but has now returned to the airwaves with a reduced broadcast schedule of three to four hours daily, contingent on electricity availability. Despite operating from premises half-reduced to rubble, Zaman FM has become a vital lifeline for residents, providing critical warnings about unexploded ordnance hidden throughout the streets while also addressing daily concerns such as food prices and Ramadan observances. Al-Ashrafi, who now leads a team of just five part-time volunteers down from the original twelve staff members, has had to improvise with equipment, mounting the antenna on a piece of broken concrete since the roof was destroyed, limiting the station's broadcast range to less than a mile. The station's return has resonated deeply with listeners like Zayed Khalil, who described the broadcasts as bringing back 'beautiful memories' and 'a piece of our old life,' with even younger generations accustomed to digital platforms turning to radio for connection and information during these challenging times.
🏷️ Themes
Media in conflict zones, Humanitarian crisis, Resilience and community
📚 Related People & Topics
Entity Intersection Graph
Connections for Gaza ceasefire:
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Middle East
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🏢
Gallup, Inc.
1 shared
🏢
Diplomacy
1 shared
🏢
Board of Peace
1 shared
👤
Donald Trump
1 shared
Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
Zaman FM’s return provides a lifeline of information and cultural continuity for Gaza residents amid ongoing conflict and infrastructure loss. The station offers critical updates on safety, supplies, and community morale during a humanitarian crisis.
Context & Background
- Gaza has endured extensive infrastructure damage from Israeli airstrikes.
- Local radio stations were silenced during the war, limiting communication.
- Zaman FM operated from a partially destroyed building with limited power.
- The station broadcasts safety warnings and daily life updates.
- Listeners rely on radio due to lack of other media access.
What Happens Next
Zaman FM plans to expand its broadcast reach as electricity stabilizes and more volunteers join. The station may collaborate with humanitarian groups to relay aid information. Continued operation could help rebuild Gaza’s media ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Zaman FM broadcast from a damaged building?
The station uses a makeshift antenna on broken concrete and limited power, reaching listeners within a mile.
What kind of content does the station provide?
It shares safety alerts, market prices, Ramadan messages, and community stories.
Who runs the station now?
Five part-time volunteers manage the station after a 12-person team was reduced.
Can listeners outside the broadcast range tune in?
The signal is weak, but online streaming options are being explored.
Original Source
From the rubble, the show must go on for one of Gaza's surviving radio stations “It felt like a piece of our old life had come back, a reminder of the better days we once had,” one listener told NBC News. Add NBC News to Google One of Gaza's surviving radio stations returns to the airwaves after two years of war 00:38 Get more news on Share Add NBC News to Google Feb. 21, 2026, 10:17 AM EST By Freddie Clayton Listen to this article with a free account 00:00 00:00 “Good morning to our families and to everyone listening to us on 90.60 FM. Good morning to you all, and welcome to a new day.” Dr. Rami al-Ashrafi opens his radio show the way countless presenters do around the world, but Zaman FM operates like few others , broadcasting from a building half reduced to rubble in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City . The station stays on air for three to four hours a day, depending on electricity, as presenters warn residents about unexploded ordnance hidden in the streets, but also talk about daily life, Ramadan and the price of food. “A tray of eggs was 25 shekels yesterday, today it has jumped to 90 shekels,” al-Ashrafi tells his listeners on his morning show. “Where is the Ministry of Economy? And where are those in charge of the country?” Zaman FM was one of the most listened-to independent stations in Gaza , trusted by people because it was not affiliated with any political party, but the station fell silent when war broke out two years ago, as Israel struck Gaza in response to the Oct. 7 terror attacks . Al-Ashrafi decided to return to the airwaves six weeks ago, as the ceasefire in Gaza continues to largely hold, despite continued Israeli strikes in the war-torn enclave. Hundreds of people have been killed by Israel since the ceasefire began in October, according to Palestinian health officials, as Hamas and Israel have traded accusations of ceasefire violations. But local radio stations are transmitting again as part of gradual efforts to revive the media lands...
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