Within the ruins of Gaza itself, the place half the two.3 million inhabitants is squeezed into the southern metropolis of Rafah, many residing underneath plastic tents and going through a extreme scarcity of meals, the temper was correspondingly sombre.
“We made no preparations to welcome Ramadan as a result of we’ve got been fasting for 5 months now,” mentioned Maha, a mom of 5, who would usually have crammed her house with decorations and stocked her fridge with provides for the night Iftar celebrations when individuals break their quick.
“There is no such thing as a meals, we solely have some canned meals and rice, a lot of the meals gadgets are being bought for imaginary excessive costs,” she mentioned by way of chat app from Rafah, the place she is sheltering together with her household.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Palestinian refugee company UNRWA, mentioned in a publish on X that the month of Ramadan ought to “convey a ceasefire for individuals who have suffered essentially the most” however as a substitute for Gazans “it comes as excessive starvation spreads, displacement continues & concern + nervousness prevail amid threats of a navy operation on #Rafah”.
Within the southern Gaza city of Al-Mawasi, Palestinian well being officers mentioned 13 individuals have been killed in an Israeli navy strike on a tented space the place hundreds of displaced individuals have been taking shelter.
There was no speedy Israeli remark.
Within the West Financial institution, which has seen document violence for greater than two years and an additional surge because the conflict in Gaza, the stakes are additionally excessive, with Jenin, Tulkarm, Nablus and different risky cities braced for additional clashes.
In Israel, fears of automotive ramming or stabbing assaults by Palestinians have additionally led to heightened safety preparations.
For a lot of Gazans, there’s little different however to hope for peace.
“Ramadan is a blessed month regardless of the very fact this yr isn’t like yearly, however we’re steadfast and affected person, and we are going to welcome the month of Ramadan as ordinary, with decorations, songs, with prayers, fasting,” mentioned Nehad El-Jed, who was displaced together with her household in Gaza.
“Subsequent Ramadan, we want for Gaza to return again, hopefully all of the destruction and the siege in Gaza will change, and all will come again in a greater situation.”
