The spirits of Palestinians, in Ramadan, try another year to look up to the moon to lead them to Iftar, but that is a bit overshadowed by Israeli security tightened measures by police and the ongoing war and hunger crisis in Gaza. Dialogues of stilling the fire have had a deadlock, which, in some measure, is adding more chaos and tension to the Muslim sacred month.
Add to it thousands of Israeli police that have been mobilized around the Old City in Jerusalem, and especially the Al Aqsa mosque compound, to cope with a large number of worshippers expected for Friday prayers. The place, known nevertheless as Temple Mount to Jews, was, on the one hand, a contentious site and was not deserving of the previous Israel-Hamas war in 2021.
The ongoing war, in its sixth month, has greatly overstepped the previous fighting, which has accumulated to more than 32,000 casualties. Israel’s ruthless campaign in Gaza has triggered greater international concerns, especially the weather of an upcoming famine.
All these are playing their part in the solemn mood of Ramadan, in which the patrons are looking for something less fanciful than the one they are so used to. There are no holiday decorations on the streets of the Old City, and if one leaves the occupied West Bank, one will still meet the occasion everywhere, which has further gotten worse with the battle of Gaza.
Israeli police have made this Ramadan peaceful for the local community while security agencies are working on intercepting the unnerving information and arresting suspected citizens of instigating terror. Nevertheless, their control over Al Aqsa sparked serious discussions worldwide. Furthermore, the last Hamas leader, Haniyeh (Ismail), recently requested Palestine residents to have a mass meeting at Al Aqsa at the start of the fasting holy month of Ramadan.
Ramadan peace talks in Cairo have just ended up in an impasse, thus the ceasefire hopes have got a downfall, causing the war to be prolonged and the prospects of a peaceful Ramadan becoming less and less. The deadly scenario in Gaza, coupled with the severe shortage of food and willingness to suffer want and loss of where to go, has nailed the population on a cross of extreme hunger and nervousness.
In the West Bank, tensions remain high as volatile towns brace for further clashes while Israel heightens its security preparations to thwart potential attacks. Despite the challenges, many Palestinians remain steadfast and hopeful, looking forward to observing Ramadan with prayers and fasting while yearning for a better and more peaceful future for Gaza.
