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Within the ruins of Gaza itself, the place half the two.3 million inhabitants is squeezed into the southern metropolis of Rafah, many residing below plastic tents and dealing with a extreme scarcity of meals, the temper was correspondingly sombre.
“We made no preparations to welcome Ramadan as a result of now we have been fasting for 5 months now,” stated Maha, a mom of 5, who would usually have stuffed her dwelling with decorations and stocked her fridge with provides for the night Iftar celebrations when folks break their quick.
“There isn’t a meals, we solely have some canned meals and rice, many of the meals objects are being bought for imaginary excessive costs,” she stated by way of chat app from Rafah, the place she is sheltering along with her household.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Palestinian refugee company UNRWA, stated in a put up on X that the month of Ramadan ought to “deliver a ceasefire for many who have suffered essentially the most” however as an alternative for Gazans “it comes as excessive starvation spreads, displacement continues & concern + anxiousness prevail amid threats of a navy operation on #Rafah”.
Within the southern Gaza city of Al-Mawasi, Palestinian well being officers stated 13 folks have been killed in an Israeli navy strike on a tented space the place hundreds of displaced folks have been taking shelter.
There was no speedy Israeli remark.
Within the West Financial institution, which has seen report violence for greater than two years and an extra surge because the battle in Gaza, the stakes are additionally excessive, with Jenin, Tulkarm, Nablus and different risky cities braced for additional clashes.
In Israel, fears of automotive ramming or stabbing assaults by Palestinians have additionally led to heightened safety preparations.
For a lot of Gazans, there’s little different however to hope for peace.
“Ramadan is a blessed month regardless of the actual fact this yr just isn’t like yearly, however we’re steadfast and affected person, and we are going to welcome the month of Ramadan as common, with decorations, songs, with prayers, fasting,” stated Nehad El-Jed, who was displaced along with her household in Gaza.
“Subsequent Ramadan, we want for Gaza to come back again, hopefully all of the destruction and the siege in Gaza will change, and all will come again in a greater situation.”
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