Gazans Celebrate Ramadan Amidst Israeli Bombing And Forced Starvation (image@UNRWA)
Ramadan is considered to be the holiest month by Muslims. People decorate their homes, prepare special Ramadan dishes, families and friends gather for iftar, and everything good is celebrated during Ramadan. But for Palestinians, the month comes amidst the intense bombing. There is nothing left for the Gazans to say that the festivities are on. The usual tranquility brought in by Ramadan was over shadowed by the constant sound of bombings and ambulances. For Gazans, fasting started five months ago.
The civilian death toll continues to mount out of the forced famine and brutal bombing. More than 80 percentage of the Gazans are displaced, crammed up in tiny makeshift tents. Markets in Gaza, which once used to be vibrant during Ramadan is no where to be seen, as Israeli bombing wiped them off. The prices are staggering high.
According to Jabr Mushtaha, a renowned confectioner of Gaza, the prices of basic things are too high that Gazans can’t afford them. Talking to Al Jazeera, he said, the price of sugar, which was once 95 shekels ($26) now stretches to 3,000 shekels ($831).
Despite the ritual bombing from Israel that took place on almost every Ramadan, Palestinians used to celebrate the holy month like no other. They used to purchase new lanterns and decorate their homes for the beloved month.
But, the land has become barren now. There is no vegetable, fruits or other basic commodities that they can afford to buy. Though the situation in Rafah is slightly better than the north Gaza, the scarcity of even the most basic things are still blaringly visible.
The situation in northern Gaza is beyond the length of imagination of those outside the war zone. More than 20 civilians, mostly children, killed by the forced starvation, as Israel blocked the entry of aid into the besieged enclave, especially to the north.
Ramadan is the month of fasting, when Muslims across the globe give up food and water from dawn to dusk for a whole month. However, Palestinians in Gaza has been fasting for over five months, as there is nothing for them to eat. Even for the suhoor (pre-meal before starting the fast) and to break the fast. Israel cut off the entry of food, water and fuel from day one of this five months long war. The Gazans were reduced to eat grass, animal feeds and potato peels to keep up with the harrowing hunger.
Additionally, there is the threat of ground assault on Rafah. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Rafah will be attacked. More than 1.5 million displaced people are crammed up in Rafah, an area of only 63 square kilometers. Attacking the area, which once was announced as the “safe area” is now waiting to be destroyed. The Palestinians take every breath in fear of it being their last.
However, the Palestinians, especially the Palestinian children, live up to their reputation of being the beacon of kindness, positivity and love. Despite the gut-wrenching traumatic situation forced upon them by the Israeli occupation force and all the world leaders who failed to call a ceasefire, they are celebrating with what they can get their hands on. Gaza children are making lanterns using papers to decorate their homes, welcoming the beloved month of Ramadan.
