Palestinians began fasting for Ramadan on Monday, as the Muslim sacred month arrived with ceasefire talks stalled, hunger rising in the Gaza Strip, and no end in sight to Israel’s five-month war with Hamas.
Late Sunday, prayers were performed outside among the wreckage of collapsed structures. Some people placed fairy lights and decorations in crowded tent camps, while a video from a UN school turned refuge showed youngsters dancing and spraying foam while a man sang via a loudspeaker.
But there was nothing to celebrate after five months of fighting that had killed over 30,000 Palestinians and left much of Gaza devastated.
No joy during Ramadan
Families would normally break their daily fast with holiday feasts, but when food is available, there is nothing beyond canned items, and the prices are too expensive for many.
“You don’t see anyone with joy in their eyes,” said Sabah al-Hendi, who went grocery shopping in Rafah on Sunday. “Each family is sad. Each household has a martyr.”
The US, Qatar, and Egypt had hoped to arrange a ceasefire before of the traditionally festive month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, with the release of scores of Israeli captives and Palestinian inmates, as well as the admission of a substantial amount of humanitarian aid, but discussions fell down last week.
Hamas-Israel’s differences of opinions
Hamas is seeking guarantees that any compromise would result in an end to the conflict, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to continue the attack until “total victory” over the terrorist organisation and the release of all remaining captives.
Mr Netanyahu announced on Monday that Israel had murdered “Hamas’s number four” commander and that additional targeted murders would follow. “Three, two, and one are on their way.” They’re all dead dudes. “We will reach them all,” he stated.
Mr Netanyahu was most likely referring to the death of Saleh Arouri, Hamas’ deputy political leader and creator of the group’s military arm, who was killed in an explosion in Beirut in January. Israel was generally suspected of being behind the explosion.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel and Hamas to follow the spirit of Ramadan by “silence the guns” and freeing all captives.
On October 7, Hamas-led terrorists assaulted southern Israel, murdering 1,200 people, the majority of whom were civilians, and kidnapping around 250 more. Following an exchange last year, Hamas is estimated to still be holding roughly 100 hostages and the bodies of 30 more.
The displacement as a result of the war
The war has displaced almost 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and forced hundreds of thousands to the verge of hunger. According to health experts, at least 20 individuals, primarily youngsters, perished in northern Gaza due to starvation and dehydration.
Since October, Israeli soldiers have effectively walled off the north, and humanitarian organisations claim that Israeli restrictions, continuous conflicts, and a collapse in law and order have made it practically difficult to securely supply vitally needed food in parts of the region.
Israel has pledged to escalate its attack to the southern city of Rafah, where half of Gaza’s population has sought sanctuary, but has not specified where residents will flee.
USA offering military assistance
US President Joe Biden has stated that an attack on Rafah would be a “red line” for him, but that Washington will continue to offer military assistance to Israel. He said in his customary Ramadan speech that the holy month arrives “at a time of intense pain.”
The United States and other nations have begun airdropping assistance in recent days, but humanitarian organisations believe the operations are costly and inadequate. The US military has already begun shipping equipment to construct a sea bridge to provide relief, but it will likely take many weeks before it is operational.
Ship from Spanish charity group
A ship belonging to the Spanish charity group Open Arms, carrying 200 tonnes of food supplies, was supposed to conduct a test journey to Gaza from nearby Cyprus, although it was unclear when it would embark.
Israel welcomes ship delivery and plans to monitor Gaza-bound goods before it leaves Cyprus. The ship is scheduled to take two to three days to reach an unknown site in Gaza.
The United States has offered critical military backing to Israel, shielding it from international calls for a cease-fire while encouraging it to do more to protect civilians and permit humanitarian relief.
Israel’s military and Hezbollah members have exchanged fire since the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7. More than 220 Hezbollah combatants and over 40 civilians were killed on the Lebanese side, while Israel lost nine troops and ten civilians in the strikes. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced along both sides of the border.
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