Gaza Before Ramadan: Between the Devastation of Aggression and a Merciless Siege
As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the people of the Gaza Strip find no respite from the hardships of the ongoing Israeli siege and the escalating aggression that continues to target civilians and infrastructure. Amidst a severe shortage of basic services, their homes are destroyed, their children are deprived of education, and the Civil Defense struggles with limited resources to save lives. Meanwhile, attempts to break the siege through international flotillas continue, a testament to Gaza’s resilience in the face of unprecedented circumstances.
Breaking the Siege is the Responsibility of the Mediterranean Countries
The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Francesca Albanese, affirmed that the 22 Mediterranean countries are capable of breaking the siege imposed on Gaza. She explained that deploying naval forces behind an international humanitarian flotilla could write a more dignified chapter in history than our past.
This comes as an international flotilla of more than 100 ships and 1,000 activists prepares to set sail soon in an attempt to break the land, sea, and air blockade that has been strangling the Gaza Strip for many years.
Gaza Faces Ongoing Aggression
Palestinian resistance security forces announced the thwarting of a sabotage attempt carried out by gangs working for the Israeli enemy, confirming that operations to pursue these gangs will continue.
Meanwhile, the enemy continued its airstrikes on cities and residential areas, resulting in civilian casualties, and its ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement, which has claimed the lives of nearly 800 civilians since October 2023.
Resilience Despite Limited Resources
For his part, the Director of Civil Defense in Gaza, Brigadier General Raed al-Dahshan, revealed that 85% of the department’s capabilities have been destroyed, with more than 3,000 people still missing and approximately 8,000 bodies buried under the rubble.
Al-Dahshan pointed out that rescue teams are operating with outdated equipment dating back to 1994, amidst immense difficulties due to the enemy’s siege. Despite these challenges, they continue to rescue civilians under exceptional circumstances, making Gaza a symbol of resilience in the face of the siege and aggression.
The situation is tragic and children’s rights are threatened.
The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, confirmed that children in Gaza have not attended school for over two years. He noted that the agency is facing Zionist political pressure to curtail its operations, while violations of international law and attacks on its facilities continue, at a time when the suffering of the Gaza Strip’s residents is intensifying.
Violations against prisoners
Hamas condemned the ongoing violations against prisoners in Ofer Prison, holding the Israeli Minister of National Security responsible and describing the practices as a full-fledged war crime.
The movement stressed that the issue of prisoners will remain a national priority, and that the continuation of these crimes only exacerbates tensions and strengthens the Palestinian people’s resolve to defend their rights.
Continuous calls to save Gaza
In this context, European official Hana Jalloul condemned the continued killing of civilians in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong UN role in the Strip.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for drawing inspiration from Ramadan’s message to work towards building a more peaceful and just world, warning of the continued horrors suffered by people in Gaza and other conflict zones.
Resilience Despite Oppression
Gaza welcomes Ramadan this year under a suffocating siege and ongoing aggression, with the tragedy of civilians worsening daily. Homes are destroyed, children are deprived of education, and many bodies remain under the rubble, while humanitarian organizations struggle with limited resources. Yet, despite all this, the people of Gaza prove that their resilience and daily resistance are living proof of their will to confront oppression, reminding the world that aggression and siege will not break their spirit or erase the reality of their suffering.