# Palestine celebrates its first Ramadan fast with hope despite struggles

> Ramadan in Gaza, once filled with joy, is now marked by loss and devastation. Last year’s war brought starvation, destruction, and grief, replacing family gatherings with empty seats and graves. Though a ceasefire exist…

Published: 2026-09-17 · Desk: Latest · Source: Truthout

Ramadan in Gaza was once a time of joy, filled with dazzling lights, heartfelt prayers, and family gatherings around the iftar table. It was a season of unity, gratitude, and love. But last year, Ramadan was overshadowed by war, turning a time of abundance into a struggle for survival.

Amid bombings, starvation, and devastation, families broke their fast with plain rice, if they had anything at all. Homes were reduced to rubble, and loved ones were lost—not just to airstrikes but to hunger and despair. The echoes of laughter were replaced by the cries of mothers searching for their children, and prayers were interrupted by the relentless sounds of destruction.

Now, as another Ramadan begins under a ceasefire, the wounds remain fresh. The streets that once shone with festive decorations are now lined with graves. Families that once gathered in warmth and love are now mourning empty seats at their iftar tables. Children ask if their prayers will reach their fathers in heaven, while survivors continue searching through ruins for those they lost.

This Ramadan is no longer just about reuniting with loved ones—it's about remembering those who are no longer here and holding onto the hope that one day, in a place beyond war and suffering, they will be together again.

Original reporting: https://truthout.org/articles/as-ramadan-in-gaza-begins-our-decorations-have-been-replaced-by-graves/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIwtkpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHaYQUg6DtbbxLLqfErCDn683c1LWcA45f2ccuvIr1Db-j-EkzvO8nf3r2w_aem_u1k-ybIoJ9siW5Prfk9opw
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