As the holy month of Ramadan commences, the joy traditionally linked to the festival in Gaza has been overshadowed by loss and destruction from the ongoing war. With many still homeless and grieving loved ones, the festive spirit is notably absent this year.
**Gaza's Ramadan: A Time of Mourning Amidst Destruction**
**Gaza's Ramadan: A Time of Mourning Amidst Destruction**
As Ramadan begins, Gazans reflect on the stark contrast to past celebrations amidst the devastation from the ongoing conflict.
In Khan Younis, Gaza, the atmosphere ahead of Ramadan is laden with sorrow. “This Ramadan is nothing like the ones before,” stated a local resident. For years, Ramadan filled Palestinian streets with festive decorations and communal gatherings. However, the harsh reality of a 15-month war has changed that narrative entirely as civilians grapple with loss and displacement.
Maisa Arafa, aged 29, is a poignant reflection of this grim reality. She mourns the recent death of her brother and currently resides in a tent with relatives, striving to salvage the remnants of their home in northern Gaza. While they work to restore even one usable room, she expressed a deep yearning for her brother’s return, highlighting that “this is not the Ramadan we knew or the life we knew.”
Since the cease-fire took effect in mid-January, the influx of supplies has offered a flicker of hope, though profound hardship remains. Abdelhalim Awad, who runs a bakery, noted a decline in prices as goods become more accessible than during the war’s peak when a single sack of flour could reach exorbitant prices. Yet, celebrations feel hollow as many continue to prioritize essential purchases over festive indulgences.
The conflict erupted following a Hamas-led offensive on October 7, 2023, resulting in significant loss of life and extensive devastation in Gaza, where over 48,000 Palestinians have reportedly perished, many of whom were civilians. The Israeli military has claimed it neutralized numerous Hamas operatives, yet definitive evidence remains scant.
Witnessing the remnants of what used to be a vibrant market in Gaza City, Muhanned Hamad shared his disappointment, stating that despite the cease-fire, “nothing here feels worthy of celebration.” His choice of a holiday lantern reflected an effort to maintain some semblance of community spirit amid the heartbreak.
Aaron Boxerman, a journalist based in Jerusalem, reports on Israel and Gaza, shedding light on the realities of life amidst conflict.
Maisa Arafa, aged 29, is a poignant reflection of this grim reality. She mourns the recent death of her brother and currently resides in a tent with relatives, striving to salvage the remnants of their home in northern Gaza. While they work to restore even one usable room, she expressed a deep yearning for her brother’s return, highlighting that “this is not the Ramadan we knew or the life we knew.”
Since the cease-fire took effect in mid-January, the influx of supplies has offered a flicker of hope, though profound hardship remains. Abdelhalim Awad, who runs a bakery, noted a decline in prices as goods become more accessible than during the war’s peak when a single sack of flour could reach exorbitant prices. Yet, celebrations feel hollow as many continue to prioritize essential purchases over festive indulgences.
The conflict erupted following a Hamas-led offensive on October 7, 2023, resulting in significant loss of life and extensive devastation in Gaza, where over 48,000 Palestinians have reportedly perished, many of whom were civilians. The Israeli military has claimed it neutralized numerous Hamas operatives, yet definitive evidence remains scant.
Witnessing the remnants of what used to be a vibrant market in Gaza City, Muhanned Hamad shared his disappointment, stating that despite the cease-fire, “nothing here feels worthy of celebration.” His choice of a holiday lantern reflected an effort to maintain some semblance of community spirit amid the heartbreak.
Aaron Boxerman, a journalist based in Jerusalem, reports on Israel and Gaza, shedding light on the realities of life amidst conflict.
