After 15 months of war, the people of Gaza, deprived of everything they had - shelter, their meager possessions, and loved ones, are spending the month of Ramadan with great hardship.
As a result of the Israeli army's attacks, tens of thousands of homes, 823 mosques, 3 churches, and more than 130 educational institutions in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed.
The city of Khan Yunis. Light amidst darkness.
Photo: The New York Times
According to world news agencies, despite the fact that the entire Gaza Strip has been leveled with the ground and food shortages are increasing, Palestinians are fasting and setting a modest iftar table.
"Ramadan has arrived in Gaza, which has been in turmoil. While the rest of the world has entered the month of fasting and prayer in a festive mood, we have welcomed it with sadness and grief. There is no hope that the ceasefire will last long. People are restless, anxious, and they are afraid that the war will start again," writes Isra Abu Qamar, a student from Gaza, in an article published on the Al Jazeera website.
The people of Gaza are spending Ramadan for the second time in war conditions. Photo: Anadolu Agency
Food is extremely scarce in Gaza, and everything is being sold at prices that are several times higher. In the conditions of hunger, most families barely find food for suhoor and iftar. Moreover, thousands of Gazans who fell under enemy fire did not have the good fortune to celebrate Ramadan this year.
“More than 48,000 people died during the war. The names of entire families have been erased from official documents, and unfortunately, they will not be able to fast this year. The places around the iftar table are empty: the voice of the father who called his children to break their fast is no longer heard, the face of the son who waited for the iftar meal is no longer seen, the mother who prepared delicious meals has also left this world. I have also lost my dear people,” writes Isra Abu Qamar.
The Gaza student notes with regret that mosques in the region have been destroyed, even the ancient Umar Mosque has been bombed, and the soothing voice of the muezzin has been replaced by the sound of rockets and bombs.
A woman from Jabaliya prepares food for the iftar meal on a makeshift stove. Photo: AP
According to the author, although the Gaza Strip has been completely destroyed, the faith of the suffering Palestinians in a free and independent life has not faded.
"Our mosques have been destroyed, but our faith has not been broken. Even in ruined houses and tents, we perform Taraweeh prayers, we pray sincerely, we recite the Quran. We believe that Allah will reward us greatly for the suffering we have endured," says Isra Abu Qamar.
In accordance with the peace agreement signed on January 19, the Israeli administration had allowed the delivery of food and other essential goods to Gaza. However, according to recent reports, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that the Hamas movement has violated the peace agreement and has stopped humanitarian aid from entering the enclave, which is already suffering from hunger and thirst.
Rafah residents are content with what they have. Photo: AFP
The Israeli army has also resumed bombing and shelling.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump put forward a highly controversial proposal to evacuate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Gazans who spoke to France24 said that they would never leave their homeland, no matter how difficult the situation.
Jabaliya. Breaking the fast amid the ruins. Photo: Xinhua
Israeli military operations have triggered a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, leaving thousands of families without their daily food. International organizations have criticized Israel for blocking humanitarian aid to the territory, which is home to 2.3 million people.
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