Iftar amidst rubble of destroyed homes in Gaza, a sorrowful Ramadan for homeless families

Gaza: On the first day of Ramadan, Palestinian families in Gaza City organized a collective iftar among the rubble of their destroyed homes. Long tables were set up amidst the ruins where families shared food, prayed, and showed unity, with light decorations and religious hymns heard in the background.

Local resident Mohammed Al-Dada said they insisted on having iftar in front of their destroyed homes. He said the move is a symbol of hope, faith, and community bonding despite the loss and grief. On the other hand, displaced Palestinian families living in tents in the Al-Mawasi area also started Ramadan in extreme hardship. Walid Al-Zamli, a father of 11 who was displaced after Israeli military action and forced to live in a tent, said this year Ramadan has come without joy.

He said before the war, they used to welcome Ramadan with happiness, with sweets and special food for the children, but this year there is no joy. According to Walid Al-Zamli, the shop where he worked was destroyed, leaving him jobless, and his wife got food for the first iftar from a charity kitchen. The Gaza Ministry of Health said more than 72,000 Palestinians have been martyred in Israeli military operations, while the majority are displaced and forced to live in devastated areas or tents.

The sharp increase in food prices and limited aid has also made it difficult to obtain basic necessities, with meat and chicken prices rising several times compared to before the war.