Ramadan in Gaza sees Palestinians caught between resilience and starvation

Ramadan began at the weekend, and Muslims around the world are now engaged in a month of fasting, extra prayers and communal gatherings. In Gaza, though, there is no festive spirit. With Israel’s continued blockade and its decision to block humanitarian aid, Palestinians are again facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history.

Despite Israel’s announcement that it had agreed to US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff’s proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire with Hamas during Ramadan and the Jewish Passover holiday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that all humanitarian aid into Gaza would be blocked. This move is intended to put pressure on Hamas to extend the now-expired first phase of the ceasefire agreement signed in January. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has stressed that international humanitarian law mandates the unhindered access of humanitarian assistance, and has described Israel’s decision as alarming.

This decision is part of Israel’s broader effort to undermine the ceasefire and resume military operations.

Since the agreement began, Israel has repeatedly violated the truce, killing 116 Palestinians and wounding nearly 500. Moreover, Israel delayed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, despite Hamas fulfilling its commitment by freeing six Israelis last month. These continued violations over the past two months have fuelled concerns that Israel intends to escalate the conflict, further endangering millions of lives already on the brink of famine, with nearly no access to healthcare or housing.

READ: Israel blocking aid to Gaza as Ramadan begins is ‘reckless act of collective punishment’

Even before Israel’s latest announcement, images from Gaza have laid bare the brutal realities of war, despite the ceasefire. As Muslims around the world go through Ramadan knowing that food and water are available to break their daily fast, Palestinians in Gaza are struggling to find the bare necessities to survive. While families have made attempts to mark the holy month, with tables of food set out among the ruins in Rafah and Beit Lahia, for example, as symbols of resilience and hope, their efforts are overshadowed by the worsening humanitarian crisis. Israel’s decision to further restrict aid has already caused a surge in prices, leaving many unable to afford food as they brace for a potential escalation.

A return to war would not come without significant costs for the Israeli government.

Netanyahu’s administration is already facing mounting public anger for failing to secure the release of Israelis held in Gaza during 15 months of genocidal war. Furthermore, despite months of military operations, Israel has not been able to destroy Hamas, which has continued to assert control over Gaza, which was made evident during the recent hostage exchanges.

For Palestinians, a return to war would have devastating consequences, particularly as the humanitarian crisis becomes increasingly dire, even in the absence of open fighting. International organisations such as UNICEF have stressed that while the ceasefire provided an opportunity to scale up aid delivery, the level of destruction and overwhelming need far exceed available resources. The World Food Programme has also noted that over two million Palestinians in Gaza are homeless and completely dependent on food aid for survival. With Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian assistance, the lives of millions are at immediate risk; the crisis will only deepen if the Israeli offensive resumes.

It is imperative that international bodies, mediators and humanitarian organisations apply pressure to ensure that the ceasefire holds and that unrestricted aid access is granted, as per international law, resolutions and the International Court of Justice. The suffering of millions in Gaza should not be exacerbated by political manoeuvring, and humanitarian aid and access to those in need should not be restricted by political agendas. To respond to these urgent needs genuine negotiations among all parties are necessary but, above all, the use of humanitarian aid as a bargaining tool to achieve political goals must end. Upholding international humanitarian law and ensuring the immediate flow of aid to Gaza must be an urgent global priority.

READ: Israeli captive’s father slams Netanyahu amid uncertainty over Gaza ceasefire

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