Children in Gaza light lanterns to mark the start of Ramadan. Ramadan in Gaza: hardship, displacement and hope for a better future Peace and security
Palestinian Walid al-Assi promised his little granddaughter to take her to the market in Gaza City with the onset of the holy month of Ramadan, as was customary in their family before the war between Israel and Hamas. But now “everything has changed.”
Al-Assi lives with his family in a tent made of fabric and polyethylene next to the ruins of their home in the Al-Zarqa neighborhood of central Gaza City. Previously, he said, they lived there “happily” and could afford good food, including traditional Ramadan sweets such as qatayef.
“Everything has changed now,” he told a UN news reporter, describing the grim picture after two years of Israeli attacks. “We have nothing left.” Today I see products in stores, but I turn away from them because I don’t have the money to buy them. I suffer from high blood pressure and diabetes and cannot walk. People living in tents need help.”
Tragic times
In another tent, Amal al-Samri and her husband are trying to at least symbolically create a festive atmosphere. They put their temporary home in order in preparation for the holy month. The woman’s tired face never leaves her smile, and their three children are dressed in clothes that look like new, in honor of the onset of Ramadan.
Before the war, she recalls, “our life was wonderful.” Al-Samri visited relatives, went to her parents and brothers, bought food at the market, and decorated the house with garlands and lights.
“Today there is none of this,” she says. “We live in catastrophic conditions. There is no electricity or water. We were forced to move over and over again, and in one of these places, sea water flooded us and carried away our tents.”
High prices and shortages
Despite harsh conditions, ongoing suffering, shortages of goods and widespread destruction, the spirit of Ramadan and its characteristic goods still appeared at the historic Zawiya market in Gaza City. Shops and street vendors hung lanterns of various sizes and signs with greetings to mark the arrival of the holy month.
Some families managed to buy lanterns for children, despite the high prices. However, many pass through the market without making purchases – they do not have enough money to do so, said store owner Luay al-Jamasi.
“Many people don’t have decorations for Ramadan because there is no electricity,” he said. “Prices have risen significantly because there has been no new goods coming into the sector for a long time.”
Holding a lantern in his hands, he explained: “This lantern used to cost 30 shekels, now it costs 60. The price has doubled due to a shortage of goods.”
However, there are those who are determined to celebrate Ramadan in their own way and show solidarity with others. Among them is Palestinian Christian Maher Tarzi, who was walking through the Zawiya market.
In a quiet voice, he sang a song associated with Ramadan: “Sweet and happy nights have come – nights that come and go, in which the divine radiance is always present, and their light pours from above.”
“People want to be happy,” said Tarzi. “We have gone through hard times, and it’s good that we are alive.”
“How did we survive?”
“People look around and ask themselves: how did we even survive?” he continued. And then they return to their lives and go to the market. But purchasing power is not what it used to be.”
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that at least two-thirds of the population— about 1.4 million of the 2.1 million people— live in approximately in 1000 temporary accommodation places. People are huddled in tents that provide virtually no privacy or protection.
At night, some areas of Gaza City are illuminated with lanterns and lamps in honor of the onset of Ramadan, despite the difficult conditions faced by many residents who have lost their homes.