Gaza: the beginning of Ramadan without a ceasefire.

Translated by Giulia Maffeis

The Palestinian population, following the failure of the latest negotiations between Israel and Hamas, is preparing to celebrate the holiest month without a ceasefire. Ramadan began on Monday, March 11 in many Islamic countries, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar during which fasting is observed from dawn until sunset. Until Sunday, negotiations had been ongoing to reach a ceasefire involving the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, to allow the observance of rituals related to one of the holiest months in the Islamic tradition, but without success. The people in the Gaza Strip will observe Ramadan despite the ongoing conflict. Hamas's demands, which include the provision of humanitarian aid and guarantees from the Israeli army regarding the abandonment of the Gaza Strip and the return of the population to areas now occupied by the military, have been rejected by the Israeli government.

The situation in the Gaza Strip is extremely difficult after five months of conflict and the killing of over 31,000 Palestinians, according to Hamas. There is a lack of water, food, medicine, and the majority of the population has had to abandon their homes, which have been destroyed or made unsafe by bombings, while the Israeli army advanced southward. In the Strip, international aid and supplies do not arrive easily and continue to be insufficient to meet the needs of the entire population. The situation could worsen during Ramadan — recent attempts to reach a ceasefire have intensified, without reaching an agreement.

Following the latest attempt at international mediation in recent days, the possibility of stopping the fighting seemed more likely, or at least plausible. There was discussion of an agreement that could lead to the release of some of the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Nevertheless, such an exchange never took place, which would have laid the groundwork for further negotiations.

The war will therefore have a significant impact on Ramadan in Gaza, which goes beyond the restriction of consuming food and drinks from dawn to sunset. Ramadan is a significant social and spiritual event: after sunset, friends and families gather to eat and celebrate together, often in large groups.

Saudi officials have declared the sacred fasting month of Ramadan for the world's 1.8 billion Muslims after recognizing the crescent moon. Following the announcement of Ramadan, Saudi King Salman made a specific reference to the war in Gaza, expressing deep sorrow over the fact that this year Ramadan coincides with the attacks suffered by our brothers in Palestine, emphasizing the need for the international community to assume its responsibilities, stop these brutal crimes, and provide safe humanitarian and relief corridors.

President of the United States Joe Biden wished to mark the beginning of Ramadan by sending a message to the Palestinian people "who are foremost in his thoughts," stating that he will work tirelessly to establish a ceasefire. International projects to facilitate humanitarian access to Gaza continue in the meantime. The northern part of the Strip is at risk of famine. Furthermore, many nations are providing aid by air while the European Union and the United States are planning to open a maritime assistance corridor, which will only be operational in two months. The US announces that they will build a temporary pier to deliver humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza by sea.

Humanitarian organizations have criticized the situation and the United States, in particular, for accepting the restrictions imposed by Israel, which has enforced a total embargo on the territory. Doctors Without Borders has accused Washington of engaging in sudden "distraction" operations, effectively giving up on using their influence on Israel as an ally and arms supplier to try to increase deliveries via land, the only means according to the UN to avoid an imminent famine.

The Ramadan that Muslims expect to celebrate will surely be different depending on the circumstances in the Strip, especially in Jerusalem. Palestinian negotiations are closed in the holy city, which is the third holiest place in Islam and hosts the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the streets lack decorations. An interviewee from the BBC states that this Ramadan will be challenging and wonders how to break the fast and eat, thinking of compatriots in Gaza. Ramadan will be a period of mourning for many, while tensions risk sparking new violence.

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Sources for this article:

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