ꦆThis year, amid devastation and displacement, Palestinians have welcomed the arrival of Ramadan, the holy month of mercy and blessings.
ꦜRamadan celebrations in Gaza were once filled with joyous gatherings with family, children's laughter and much more. But this year the atmosphere is completely different, with thousands of people displaced, homes destroyed and the holy month beginning under the shadow of war.
꧙Viral videos on social media show people setting up tables for the first pre-morning meal sahoor over the rubble of the broken city. The atmosphere in Gaza is different, with thousands of people displaced, homes destroyed, and the holy month beginning under the shadow of war.
In a report by Al Jazeeraꦚ, Gaza resident Samah Al Hatab said, "We are still enduring dire conditions, and this Ramadan arrives as many are financially devastated; the aid coming in is nowhere near enough to meet the overwhelming needs. Many have yet to receive any assistance, which will deeply affect their situation during the holy month of Ramadan."
ꦯDespite the rubble and devastation, Palestinians in Gaza have transformed war-torn streets into vibrant celebrations of Ramadan, and videos of the decorations have gone viral on the internet.
ꦏThis year Ramadan comes at a difficult time for the region, which is reeling from Israel's war in Gaza and Lebanon.
The Middle East's media organisation, The New Arab♕, posted a video on their microblogging website X where many people from Gaza have expressed their emotions for Ramadan.
Jabalia resident Fawzia Naji said, "This year, Ramadan is unlike any before. People are grieving: some have a son in prison, others have lost a husband or a son. Most homes have been destroyed, and life in Jabalia is no more," as quoted by The New Arab.
ℱPalestinians also performed the first Tarawih prayers of Ramadan.
ꦦLarge parts of the region have seen tumultuous years leading up to Ramadan. After 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
🥂According to Gaza's Government Media Office, around 1.5 million Palestinians are without a home or a shelter. The first phase of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is set to end on Saturday, March 1.
♏Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, multiple months of Israeli military operations that escalated on Jan 21 have displaced more than 40,000 Palestinians over the past month, according to a United Nations estimate this week.
On Friday, local sources told Al-Jazeera🥀 that new Israeli military reinforcements have been sent to the Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank.
Palestinian news agency WAFA꧑ on Friday reported that the grand mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, Mohammad Hussein, declared that the Muslim holy month would begin Saturday.
🍌The Palestinian Authority released a statement saying work will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. to accommodate those observing Ramadan.
