Gaza entered Ramadan amongst destruction never seen before. As a result of Israels attacks for 15 months, thousands return home to rubble while thousands are left displaced.
In the South of Gaza red clothed tables that are meters long were set out. Palestinian families joined together to break their fast. Gazans who can’t find a shadow due to the amount of destruction, broke their fasts without a shadow.
Palestinians of all different ages broke their fasts in a neighborhood in Rafah where, as a result of Israel’s attacks not even one building stands.
Melak Fadda, who organized the Iftar said the following: “People are in such deep sadness and everything around us breaks hearts. So we wanted to bring joy to the streets, just like how it was before the war.”
On one of the walls it is written: “Ramadan unites us”
According to the UN, Israel’s bombardment has displaced almost all the population of the Gaza Strip and resulted in hunger. According to data from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) more than 300 thousand buildings in the Gaza Strip has been fully or partially destroyed.
Starting on 19 January, the Ceasefire allowed more aid to reach the destroyed Palestinian land. However, hundreds and thousands of people still live-in tent camps, and a lot live in tents put up within their destroyed homes.
In Rafah, Palestinians come to together for iftar at long table surrounded by destroyed houses and rubble.
Despite the poverty and problems created by Isreal’s attacks, hundreds of people broke their fast amidst rubble in the North, Beit Lahia. A group of young volunteers gave out dates and water to Palestinians.
Gazan Muhammad Abu Al- Cidyan stated the following: “We are among destruction and rubble, despite out pain we stand high. We break are fast on our land and we will not leave.”
