Jabaliya, Strip Gaza – Before the war, the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan It was a festive moment of greater adoration, social meetings and joy of Fatima al-Absi. Together with her husband, Jabaliya resident in Gaza said she used to buy at Ramadan, visit relatives and go to the prayer mosque.
But the Israel-Hamas War She has destroyed many of Ramadan’s family and appreciated threads as Al-ABSI knew: her husband and son-in-law were killed, her house was damaged and burned and the mosque she attended during the destroyed Ramadan, she said.
“Everything has changed,” he said on Saturday while his family watched Ramadan’s first day. “There is no husband, no home, or adequate food and there is no proper life.”
For Al-ABSI and other residents of Gaza, Ramadan began this year under a Frágil Fire High Agreement that stopped more than 15 months of a war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and devastated Gaza’s strip. Compared to the last Ramadan, many found relief in the truce, but there is also concern and fear about what follows and pain for personal and collective losses, raw wounds and numerous remaining scars.
“I have lost a lot,” said the 57 -year -old grandmother, who has reduced to obtaining an existence in the middle of the remains. “Life is difficult. May God grant us patience and strength, “he added.
Israel The government said early Sunday to support a proposal To extend the first phase of THE HIGH FIRE IN GAZA Through Ramadan and Easter, even when Hamas has insisted before negotiating the second phase of the truce. The office of the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu occurred minutes after the first phase ended, already measure that the conversations have begun to begin the second phase.
The statement gave new details about what Israel described as an US proposal.
“We are scared because there is no stability,” Al-ABSI said and added that he is praying for the war to end and that he cannot bear more losses. He spoke before Israel’s statement.
Although Ramadan is still far from normal, some in the Gaza Strip said that, in some way, he feels better than last year.
“We cannot predict what will happen later,” said Amal Abu Sariyah, in the city of Gaza, before the start of the month. “Yes, the country is destroyed and the situation is very bad, but the feeling that bombing and murder … They have stopped, they make you (feel) that this year is better than the last.”
Decased by war and displacement, the last Ramadan, was “very bad”, for the Palestinian people, he said. He 2024 Ramadán in Gaza He began with the high fire conversations and then at a dead point, hunger worsens through the strip and endless view of the war.
The war was caused by the attack of October 7, 2023 against Israel in which militants led by Hamas killed some 1,200 people and took around 250 hostages. Israel’s military offensive has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Vast areas of Gaza have been destroyed.
Under the high fire, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians flooded in northern Gaza. After initial relief and joy when they return to their homes, even if they are damaged or destroyed, they have been dealing with life In the middle of the remains.
While the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were prepared for Ramadan, buying essential articles and foods, some regretted the harsh living conditions and economic difficulties, but also said they trust their faith in God to maintain them.
“I used to help people. … today, I can’t help it, ”said Nasser Shoeikh. “My situation, thank God, used to be better and didn’t need anything. … we ask God to support us. “
For Muslims observers around the world, Ramadan is a time to fast daily from dawn to sunset, the increase in worship, religious reflection, charity and good works. Socially, it often gathers families and friends in festive meetings around meals to break their fast.
In another part of the Gaza Strip, Fatima Bardakh, in the southern city of Khan Younis, said that his purchases in Ramadan were limited to the essential.
“We cannot buy flashlights or decorations as we do all the Ramadan,” he said.
Back in Jabaliya, Al-ABSI bitterly remembered how she used to break her quickly with her husband, how much she misses him and how she remembers when she says.
“We don’t want war,” he said. “We want peace and security.”
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Shurafa reported from Deir Al-Balah, Gaza Strip and Fam from Cairo. Associated Press’s journalist Abdel Kareem Hana, contributed from the city of Gaza.
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