In Gaza City, the streets, though lined with the remnants of collapsed buildings and debris, are now adorned with small Ramadan lanterns and strings of lights. These decorations herald a brief moment of joy and relief as the Islamic community embarks on its holiest month, marking the first Ramadan since the ceasefire in October.

At the Omari mosque, a dedicated group of worshippers gathered for the initial morning prayer of Ramadan, known as fajr. Despite the chill in the air, they stood barefoot on the mosque’s carpet, wrapped in heavy jackets to keep warm.

“In spite of the occupation, the destruction of our mosques and schools, and the demolition of our homes, we are here despite these difficult circumstances,” shared Abu Adam, a Gaza City resident, in an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP).

He further expressed, “Even last night, when our area came under attack, we stood firm in our resolve to visit the mosque and worship God.”

According to a security source in Gaza, artillery shelling struck the eastern parts of Gaza City that morning, as reported by AFP on Wednesday.

The source also noted that the shelling extended to a refugee camp situated in central Gaza.

Israel does not allow international journalists to enter the Gaza Strip, news organisations from independently verifying casualty figures.

‘The joy is stifled’

In Gaza’s south, tens of thousands of people still live in tents and makeshift shelters as they wait for the territory’s reconstruction after a US-brokered ceasefire took hold in October.

Nivin Ahmed, who lives in a tent in the area known as Al-Mawasi, told AFP this first Ramadan without war brought “mixed and varied feelings”.

“The joy is stifled. We miss people who were martyred, are still missing, detained, or even travelled,” she said.

“The Ramadan table used to be full of the most delicious dishes and bring together all our loved ones,” the 50-year-old said.

“Today, I can barely prepare a main dish and a side dish. Everything is expensive. I can’t invite anyone for iftar or suhoor,” she said, referring to the meals eaten before and after the daily fast of Ramadan.

Despite the ceasefire, shortages remain in Gaza, whose battered economy and material damage have rendered most residents at least partly dependent on humanitarian aid for their basic needs.

But with all entries into the tiny territory under Israeli control, not enough goods are able to enter to bring prices down, according to the United Nations and aid groups.

‘Ramadan is still special’

Maha Fathi, 37, was displaced from Gaza City and lives in a tent west of the city.

“Despite all the destruction and suffering in Gaza, Ramadan is still special,” she told AFP.

“People have begun to empathise with each other’s suffering again after everyone was preoccupied with themselves during the war.”

She said that her family and neighbours were able to share moments of joy as they prepared food for suhoor and set up Ramadan decorations.

“Everyone longs for the atmosphere of Ramadan. Seeing the decorations and the activity in the markets fills us with hope for a return to stability”, she added.

On the beach at central Gaza’s Deir el-Balah, Palestinian artist Yazeed Abu Jarad contributed to the holiday spirit with his art.

In the sand near the Mediterranean Sea, he sculpted “Welcome Ramadan” in ornate Arabic calligraphy, under the curious eye of children from a nearby tent camp.

Nearly all of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents were displaced at least once during the more than two years of war between Israel and Hamas, sparked by the latter’s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel.

Mohammed al-Madhoun, 43, also lives in a tent west of Gaza City, and hoped for brighter days ahead.

“I hope this is the last Ramadan we spend in tents. I feel helpless in front of my children when they ask me to buy lanterns and dream of an iftar table with all their favourite foods.”

“We try to find joy despite everything”, he said, describing his first Ramadan night out with the neighbours, eating the pre-fast meal and praying.

“The children were as if they were on a picnic”, he said.

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