Today marks the start of Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam. Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset and gather for large meals with family. It is a time of prayer, generosity, and reflection. But for countless Palestinians, this year’s Ramadan begins in grief, displacement, and survival.
Gaza: A Month of Mourning, Not Celebration
For over 15 months, Israel has carried out relentless attacks on Gaza. Bombings have destroyed entire neighborhoods. Families have lost their homes, their loved ones, and their sense of security. Most of Gaza’s population now struggles to find shelter, food, and clean water. Parents who once prepared Ramadan feasts now search for scraps to feed their children.
Israel’s blockade has made survival even harder. Aid barely reaches those who need it most. Many Palestinians in Gaza have lost dozens of family members. Instead of gathering for meals, they mourn those killed in airstrikes. The holy month, meant for peace and reflection, begins with unimaginable suffering.
West Bank: Mass Displacement Continues
In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians also face Ramadan without homes. Since the start of the year, Israeli forces have forcibly removed approximately 40,000 Palestinians. Soldiers have raided homes, destroyed villages, and pushed families into uncertainty. Settler violence has made life even more dangerous. Families who once gathered for iftar in their homes now have nowhere to go.
Many of these displaced Palestinians are left with nothing. With each demolition, Israel erases another part of Palestinian life and culture. Ramadan, a time meant for unity, has become a time of loss.
A Right to Observe in Peace
Every community deserves to celebrate its holidays in safety. Ramadan should be a time of joy, not survival. Yet, for many Palestinians, Israel’s actions have stolen that right. The world watches as an entire population struggles for basic necessities.
Palestinians deserve to observe Ramadan in peace, just like everyone else. But under Israel’s ongoing attacks, thousands begin this sacred month in mourning, hunger, and displacement.
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