Gaza Palestinians start Ramadan amid hunger, war

As Ramadan began, Palestinians initiated their fasting amidst stalled ceasefire discussions, exacerbating hunger across the Gaza Strip and a persistent war with Israel that has seen no resolution for five months. Amidst the debris of destroyed structures, people gathered for prayers and tried to foster some semblance of festivity in overcrowded tent settlements, a stark contrast to the typical celebratory atmosphere of Ramadan.

The war, initiated by a Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel on October 7, resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, mainly civilians, and the taking of about 250 hostages. To date, it’s believed that Hamas is still holding approximately 100 captives.

Efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to mediate a ceasefire before Ramadan, which would have facilitated the exchange of hostages and prisoners and allowed substantial humanitarian aid into Gaza, have unfortunately faltered. Hamas demands assurances for an end to the conflict, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is committed to a complete victory over the militant group.

The conflict has displaced about 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, pushing many to the brink of starvation. At least 20 individuals, primarily children, have succumbed to malnutrition and dehydration in the northern part of Gaza, where Israeli blockades and ongoing combat have severely hindered aid distribution.

In light of these challenges, international efforts to provide aid have intensified, with the U.S. military preparing to establish a sea bridge for aid delivery and the Spanish aid group Open Arms set to ship 200 tons of food aid from Cyprus to Gaza. Despite these initiatives and the global outcry for a ceasefire, the fighting continues, deeply impacting civilian lives on both sides of the conflict.

The Health Ministry in Gaza reports over 31,000 Palestinian casualties since the war began, with women and children comprising two-thirds of these losses. Israel attributes the high civilian death toll to Hamas’s tactics of engaging in warfare within densely populated areas.

In response to the ongoing tragedy, President Joe Biden has expressed deep concern for the Palestinian suffering during Ramadan, reiterating the U.S.’s commitment to supporting Israel while urging greater efforts to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid.