The start of Ramadan in the Palestinian territories begins on Monday, while in some Arab and Muslim countries it will start on Tuesday.
In contrast to previous years, the usual decorations around Jerusalem’s Old City have not been put up and a similar sombre atmosphere prevails in cities in the occupied West Bank, where around 400 Palestinians have been killed in clashes with security forces or Jewish settlers since the events. the. the start of the Gaza war.
“We decided this year that the Old City of Jerusalem will not be decorated to honor the blood of our children, the elderly and those who were martyred,” said Ammar Sider, a community leader in the Old City.
Police say they are working to ensure a peaceful Ramadan and have taken extra measures to crack down on what they describe as provocative and distorted information on social media networks and have arrested 20 people suspected of inciting terrorism.
“The Israeli police will continue to act and allow the safe conduct of Ramadan prayers on the Temple Mount, while maintaining security and safety in the area,” police said in a statement.
For other Muslim countries, Israel’s Al-Aqsa policy has long been one of the most hated issues and last month, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh called on Palestinians to walk to the mosque at the start of Ramadan.
Last year, clashes that occurred when police entered the mosque compound drew condemnation from the Arab League and Saudi Arabia, with whom Israel has sought to normalize diplomatic ties, expanding its efforts to build ties with regional powers including the United Arab Emirates.
HOPE OF A Ceasefire
Hopes for a ceasefire, which would allow Ramadan to pass peacefully and allow the return of at least some of the 134 Israeli hostages being held in Gaza, appeared to be disappointed as talks in Cairo appeared to stall.
A Hamas official told Reuters the group was open to further negotiations, but as far as he knew, no firm date had been set for further meetings with mediators in Cairo.
International Committee of the Red Cross Mirjana Spoljaric discussed the humanitarian situation with Ismael Haniyëh, head of Hamas’ political bureau, during a visit to Qatar on Sunday. He also met with Qatari officials, as part of the group’s efforts to hold direct talks with all parties, the ICRC said.
In Gaza itself, where half of the 2.3 million population lives in the southern city of Rafah, many living under plastic tents and facing severe food shortages, the mood is equally grim.
“We didn’t make any preparations for Ramadan because we had been fasting for five months,” said Maha, a mother of five, who usually fills her house with decorations and fills her refrigerator with provisions for the nightly iftar celebrations when people break the fast. their fast.
“There is no food, we only have canned food and rice, most of the food is sold at very expensive prices,” he said via chat application from Rafah, where he took refuge with his family.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, said in a post on & fear + anxiety arises amid threats of military operations in #Rafah”.
In the town of Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, Palestinian health officials said 13 people were killed in an Israeli military attack on a tent area where thousands of refugees had taken shelter.
There was no immediate comment from Israel.
In the West Bank region, which has seen record violence for more than two years and a further rise in violence since the war in Gaza, the stakes are also high, with Jenin, Tulkarem, Nablus and other restive cities bracing for further clashes.
In Israel, fears of car crashes or stabbing attacks by Palestinians have also led to increased security preparations.
For many Gazans, there is no other choice but to hope for peace.
“Ramadan is a month full of blessings, even though this year is not like previous years, we remain steadfast and patient, and we will welcome the month of Ramadan as usual, with decorations, songs, prayers and fasting,” said Nehad El-Jed. , who took refuge with his family in Gaza.
“Next Ramadan, we pray for Gaza to return, hopefully all the destruction and siege in Gaza will change, and everything will return in a better condition.”
