Gaza welcomes a Ramadan of bittersweet joy and lingering loss

On the bustling Omar al-Mukhtar Street in Gaza City, Ahmed Daban is busy arranging Ramadan decorations at his stall. The 23-year-old, formerly an electrical engineer, now makes a living selling Qatayef, a traditional Ramadan dessert, after Israel's devastating war on the besieged Gaza Strip. Daban says he is fortunate to have found a job that allows him to share joy and make ends meet until the border opens and he can return to his profession, hoping for a swift return to normalcy.

Daban reflects on the bittersweet nature of Ramadan this year. It comes amid a fragile ceasefire after 15 months of Israeli bombardment that killed over 48,000 Palestinians and caused widespread destruction. "Despite losing my brother and my house being destroyed, I try to remain optimistic and share joy with those around me," he revealed to Middle East Eye. Daban lost his brother and family home in Israeli attacks during the war, a loss he carries with him during this holy month.

Although he is saddened that many of the homes he used to visit are now partially or completely destroyed, Daban still makes an effort to visit relatives in different parts of the city. Like many others, he will also visit local cemeteries to pray for those who lost their lives in the war. "Our joy is tainted by the absence of those who used to share it with us, but we will keep going," he says. Daban is now living with his extended family in a relative's house on Al-Naser Street in western Gaza City, finding solace in their shared presence.

In the days leading up to Ramadan, the whole family gathered to chant religious songs, welcoming the arrival of Ramadan and decorating the house. "This year's Ramadan is filled with sadness due to the loss of loved ones, but we are grateful to experience it with a sense of peace after the horrors of war," he says. His biggest wish is to ensure that the war never recurs and that peace and blessings spread to all people, a sentiment echoed by many in the region.

Not far from Daban's stall, Shahid Shawaish and her cousin, Rama (19), were walking through the local market, just like before the war. "I miss the details of Ramadan," Shawaish tells Middle East Eye. The start of Ramadan on March 1 coincided with the end of the first phase of the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire agreement that began in January. However, Israel violated the terms of the agreement by refusing to withdraw its forces from the border area with Egypt and refusing to negotiate the second phase, leaving the future of the ceasefire uncertain, casting a shadow over the festivities.

Israel also prevented all aid from entering Gaza under the pretext of "pressuring Hamas" to accept its terms, violating the January agreement. This has led to rising prices and shortages of essential goods such as sugar. "I am saddened to see that places that were once filled with joy and beauty during Ramadan are now destroyed, and there are only a few lights this year," Shawaish says. "While the ceasefire is a relief, many goods and food items remain expensive," exacerbating the challenges faced by Gazan families.

Shawaish and her family were forced to flee to Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during the war, only returning to Gaza City after Israeli forces withdrew from the Netzarim Corridor in January. Her family's house in the Al-Daraj neighborhood in eastern Gaza City was only partially damaged, but her uncle and aunt's house was completely destroyed. As a result, they prefer to stay in their temporary shelter in the south. "They always used to visit us during Ramadan, but now it will be difficult for them due to the difficulty of transportation from the south to the north," she says. "But I will go to the south to visit them and stay there for a few days," determined to maintain family ties despite the circumstances.

Last year, Ramadan coincided with the height of the Israeli war on Gaza, and children like Naema Ghanem lived in constant fear of airstrikes, moving from one displacement site to another. This year, the 11-year-old girl and her aunt, Hana Ghanem, are buying Ramadan decorations for their newly rented house because their house was destroyed in the Israeli bombardment. "She has been very happy for the past few days and wanted to buy all the things we used to have for Ramadan," Ghanem says, noting the child's resilience and desire to reclaim a sense of normalcy.

Looking back on last year, Naema recalls the fear that overshadowed the holiday. "I love this month because I visit my relatives with my parents and go to the mosque for Taraweeh prayers," she says. "But last year, I was too scared to enjoy it because there was bombing." According to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments in Gaza, Israeli occupation forces destroyed 1,109 mosques between October 7, 2023, and January 19, 2024. Despite the widespread destruction, people have been gradually repairing what they can or erecting makeshift tents for prayer. "I am happy that we are safe now and can pray, but I am still afraid that the war will recur," Naema says, her words reflecting the lingering trauma experienced by many children in Gaza.

Feda Hriz, 45, from Gaza City, also spent the days leading up to Ramadan with her niece, Razan Hriz (9), buying lanterns. Although her home was partially damaged during the war, Hriz chose not to put up the usual festive decorations. "I love everything about this month, but it brings bittersweet joy. The war may have stopped, but its aftershocks remain," she tells Middle East Eye. "Every family in Gaza has faced tragedy, most streets have turned into rubble, and many families are living in makeshift tents," highlighting the pervasive impact of the conflict.

Hriz is the breadwinner of her family, making a living by baking bread for her neighbors. Despite her financial difficulties, she took Razan to the shops to lift her spirits. "Razan's father used to bring her lanterns and toys during Ramadan, but he was killed in the war," Hriz says. "I hope the ceasefire will continue so that we can experience Ramadan and live in peace," expressing a universal desire for lasting stability and an end to the cycle of violence.