Gaza and Al-Aqsa in Ramadan: Steadfastness in the Face of Siege and Aggression
This year’s Ramadan in Gaza and Jerusalem is unlike any other; it combines the spirit of faith with the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in the face of a grim reality. In Jerusalem, Zionist incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque continue, while families in Gaza endure harsh daily struggles to secure even the simplest iftar meal amidst the destruction and imposed siege, where every prayer and every meal has become a symbol of resistance and defiance.
A Presence that Defies Judaization
Yesterday, 160 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque through the Mughrabi Gate, under heavy guard by enemy forces, and performed Talmudic rituals in the eastern area. Meanwhile, the enemy imposed strict restrictions on the entry of worshippers and confiscated their identity cards in an attempt to reduce the Palestinian presence within the holy site.
In response, Palestinian factions and Jerusalemites called for increased vigils, religious observances, and participation in communal iftars to reinforce the mosque’s Arab and Islamic identity. Despite heightened security measures, approximately 50,000 worshippers performed the Isha and Taraweeh prayers, affirming that the mosque will remain alive through the faith and connection of its people, and that any attempts to impose a new reality will remain hostage to Palestinian steadfastness.
Ramadan Amidst the Rubble
In the Gaza Strip, the numbers reveal a daily tragedy: 72,073 martyrs and 171,749 wounded since the beginning of the aggression. Israeli aircraft and artillery relentlessly target residential areas and civilian centers. Border crossings operate with limited capacity, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and straining the healthcare system, which struggles to provide even the most basic services to the wounded and displaced.
Amidst this reality, destroyed homes and makeshift tents transform into spaces for simple family iftars, where each meal carries a message of resilience and resistance, reminding everyone that Palestinian life continues despite the destruction and deprivation.
Temporary Measures
UNRWA stressed the importance of access to basic services, education, and healthcare, affirming its continued support despite the enemy’s violations. OCHA explained that emergency supplies provide temporary protection, and that transitioning to long-term housing solutions is essential for displaced persons, noting that students with disabilities still face difficulties accessing educational materials and assistive equipment.
Betrayal at the Expense of Suffering
While Palestinians suffer, some Arab states, such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia in Washington, are seeking normalization with the Israeli entity under the banner of “a culture of peace.” According to observers, this normalization masks the ongoing crimes against Palestinians, deepens international complicity, and places the Palestinian people in a double confrontation: with the Israeli entity and with the silence or collusion of international powers.
Resistance: A Shield to Protect Holy Sites
Hamas called for widespread action to protect mosques following the attack on the Abu Bakr Mosque in Nablus, asserting that such violations constitute fascist crimes that necessitate popular mobilization and international pressure to hold the Israeli entity accountable. Meanwhile, the enemy continued to violate the ceasefire agreement, resulting in 615 martyrs and 1,651 wounded since the ceasefire was declared.
Ongoing Judaization Policy
Twenty Arab, Islamic, and European countries condemned the recent settlement expansions in the West Bank, considering these measures a threat to Palestinian rights and a blatant violation of international law. Settlements are not merely properties, but rather a tool to impose a new reality on the ground, deepening the suffering of Palestinians and targeting their very existence.
Light in a time of darkness
From the heart of suffering in Gaza to the courtyards of Al-Aqsa, Palestinians are writing a new lesson in patience and faith. Every humble breakfast meal and every Taraweeh prayer is a message of defiance against destruction and Judaization, and an affirmation that the Palestinian spirit will not be broken, and that resistance begins with the details of daily life and continues with every pulse of hope.