Gaza Palestinians mark first Ramadan since ceasefire amid ruins and aid shortages

Palestinians in Gaza gathered on Wednesday for suhoor, the predawn meal marking the start of fasting, as Ramadan began in several Arab and Islamic countries on 18 February 2026. The holy month’s arrival comes amid extensive devastation in the enclave, despite a ceasefire that has been in place since October.

Families assembled in makeshift tents erected for displaced residents, organising their fasting day around aid distribution schedules as food and clean water remain scarce.

Footage shared online showed large gatherings for suhoor in displacement camps, including in Hamad City, west of Khan Younis, where Palestinians later marked iftar, the breaking of the fast, against a backdrop of rubble from destroyed homes.

According to video material circulated on social media, described as documenting one of the largest communal suhoor gatherings in displacement camps, the event was supported by the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organisation and the Jordanian campaign assisting Gaza.

As reported by Al Jazeera, families who once prepared abundant Ramadan meals before the war are now reliant on soup kitchens and humanitarian distributions. Under the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that took effect in October, at least 600 aid trucks were meant to enter Gaza daily, but the actual number has been significantly lower.

The broadcaster also reported that Israeli attacks have continued nearly daily since the ceasefire began, with more than 600 Palestinians killed during that period.

Taraweeh Prayers on Mosque Ruins

On Tuesday evening, Palestinians performed the first Taraweeh prayers of Ramadan in destroyed mosques and temporary prayer spaces constructed from nylon and wood.

Worshippers gathered amid what Palestinians describe as genocide committed by Israel, with Israeli surveillance drones reportedly flying overhead during the prayers.

Data from Gaza’s Government Media Office cited by the outlet stated that more than 1,015 mosques had been targeted during two years of conflict. Of those, more than 835 were completely destroyed and over 180 partially damaged. Palestinians have since established temporary prayer areas on mosque rubble.

The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories, Mohammed Hussein, announced on Tuesday evening that Wednesday would mark the first day of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH.

Tensions in East Jerusalem

Meanwhile, in occupied East Jerusalem, thousands of worshippers filled the covered prayer halls and courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque for evening prayers.

Video shared online showed Israeli police stationed inside the compound and moving among attendees during tarawih prayers. The prayers were held amid heightened tensions in and around the Old City, where Israeli authorities have stepped up security measures, including arrests and temporary bans on religious figures and activists.

According to figures cited by the Jerusalem governorate and reported by Al Jazeera, more than 250 orders barring Palestinians from entering Al-Aqsa have been issued since the beginning of 2026.

Israel has also intensified operations in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since launching its war on Gaza on 7 October 2023, alongside what reports describe as a sharp escalation in settler attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property.

For many in Gaza, this Ramadan — the first since the ceasefire — unfolds not in celebration, but amid displacement, destruction and ongoing uncertainty over humanitarian relief.