Ramadan in ruins: Gaza faces grief, hunger and uncertainty

With Israel continuing attacks in Palestine, Gaza now lies in ruins, its streets filled with rubble and echoes of war. As Ramadan begins, the usual festive spirit is replaced with grief, hunger, and uncertainty.

The death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 48,388, the majority of whom are women and children, since the start of the Israeli genocide in October 2023, WAFA news agency reported quoting medical sources.

The number of injuries has also climbed to 111,803, while thousands remain trapped under the rubble as rescue efforts continue to face significant obstacles.

Families who once gathered for prayers and meals now find themselves scattered, mourning lost loved ones and struggling to find food. However, the fear is there— no one knows if or when the war will return.

For many, this Ramadan is unlike any other. Families who once gathered around tables for iftar are now scattered, displaced in makeshift shelters or mourning loved ones lost in the relentless bombardment. Over 48,000 lives have been taken, leaving empty seats at countless tables—a father whose laughter will never fill the room again, a mother whose hands will no longer prepare meals, a child who will never wake up for suhoor again.

Markets that survived the destruction have reopened, but they are not the same. Shelves are stocked with food, yet few can afford it. With jobs lost and homes destroyed, even basic necessities remain out of reach for most. Many break their fast with nothing more than rice, vegetables, or a shared can of beans—far from the rich, traditional meals they once enjoyed.

The destruction extends beyond homes and food. Mosques, once centers of worship and community, are now piles of rubble. The Adhan or Azaan, once echoing through the streets at Maghrib and Fajr, is replaced by silence. Some still gather to pray, whispering verses of the Quran inside damaged buildings or tents, clinging to faith as their last source of strength.