DaysofPal – A week has passed since the start of Ramadan, yet Gaza remains locked in a reality defined by years of conflict. For the third year in a row, the holy month arrives in a city marked by shattered neighborhoods, rows of tents, and newly dug graves. The war may have slowed, but its imprint is everywhere.
In Gaza today, Ramadan is felt less through the rhythm of fasting hours and more through the empty chairs at iftar. Decorations no longer brighten the streets, and the lively pre-Ramadan markets that once drew crowds have faded into memory.
A ceasefire declared in October has reduced large-scale strikes, but it has not restored reassurance. Residents speak of a fragile pause rather than genuine calm. Reports of people killed and injured continue to surface, including incidents in locations described as safe. According to Gaza’s health authorities, casualties have been recorded even after the truce took effect.
Large sections of the north and east remain designated as closed military zones, preventing thousands from returning to their homes. Some houses are still standing yet inaccessible. Families can glimpse their neighborhoods from afar without being permitted to enter them.
Displacement Redefines the Holy Month
For many, Ramadan now unfolds inside canvas shelters instead of family homes. Ziad Deir, who fled northern Gaza for Nuseirat camp, says the spirit of the month feels distant. Nights once filled with gatherings and shared meals have been replaced by quiet reflection inside a cramped tent. The bombardment may have lessened, he explains, but the sense of stability has not returned.
In central Gaza, Um Mohammed al-Shafie prepares a simple iftar over a small burner. She would usually welcome Ramadan in her house in Jabalia. This year, she marks it in a tent that offers little protection from shifting weather. The loss of two sisters and two sons-in-law has made the month especially heavy. Ramadan, once associated with family visits and celebration, has become a period of patience and remembrance.
Limited Means, Rising Costs
Although some markets have reopened, most families lack the income to shop freely. Job opportunities remain scarce, and many households depend on food aid.
Fouad Hijazi, displaced from Gaza City, says his family now relies on charitable kitchens to secure their evening meal. He has been without steady work for more than two years.
Shortages and rising prices deepen the strain. Cooking gas is in limited supply, and officials from Gaza’s General Petroleum Authority report that the quantities entering the territory since the ceasefire meet only a fraction of overall needs. As a result, families improvise with alternative methods to cook.
Before the war, Ramadan nights in Gaza were illuminated by lights, television series, and invitations exchanged between relatives. Today, the focus has shifted to securing clean water, finding medicine, and identifying safer places to shelter.
Eight days into the month, Ramadan carries the weight of three years of upheaval. Yet despite loss and uncertainty, residents continue to fast and observe their traditions, holding on to faith while navigating a landscape transformed by war.
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