04:12Stores in Southern Gaza’s crowded city of Rafah were seen overwhelmed with locals on Saturday as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins amidst difficult economic and living conditions in the strip, while fighting between Israel and Hamas continues into its sixth month.
Footage shows dozens of residents walking around the markets in search of goods to purchase.
Prior to October 7, Rafah was home to around 275,000 people. However, there are now 1.5 million Palesinians in the area after Israeli forces ordered civilians to move to the South at the beginning of the war.
"How can one receive the month of Ramadan while being displaced from home and living in a tent? How do we approach Ramadan? This is the hardest Ramadan for this nation. [...] We used to celebrate Ramadan in our homes and had all we need. There was a peace of mind. But now we live in displacement," one local said.
Another displaced person added, "We are striving to receive the holy month of Ramadan with all its blessings, but the overall situation is very difficult for us. We try our best to bring joy to the hearts of the children because they are not to blame for what is happening."
The United Nations has declared a 'humanitarian crisis' across the strip, with food, medicine and supply shortages causing the prices of goods to skyrocket.
"This Ramadan is different from the previous one. Last Ramadan, everything was available, all goods and products were available to people," one local vendor said.
"The siege and the war have made things difficult," he continued. "There is a lack of goods entering Gaza and there is a significant shortage of money and job opportunities for the residents. People are awfully suffering from the current economic situation and the rising prices."
Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping over 200, according to Israeli officials.
Israel declared war on the group and a 'complete siege' of Gaza, with a large-scale campaign of air strikes. A ground incursion began at the end of the third week, with Israeli leaders vowing to 'wipe out' Hamas. Palestinian officials reported that more than 30,960 people had been killed and more 72,527 injured at time of publication.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that Hamas locations and infrastructure were targeted in the response. However, United Nations experts warned against 'collective punishment' for the people of Gaza, before predicting a 'humanitarian crisis' and then claimed that 'hell is settling in' for the region.
'The hardest Ramadan for this nation' - Gazans prepare for holy month amidst ongoing humanitarian crisis
Stores in Southern Gaza’s crowded city of Rafah were seen overwhelmed with locals on Saturday as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins amidst difficult economic and living conditions in the strip, while fighting between Israel and Hamas continues into its sixth month.
Footage shows dozens of residents walking around the markets in search of goods to purchase.
Prior to October 7, Rafah was home to around 275,000 people. However, there are now 1.5 million Palesinians in the area after Israeli forces ordered civilians to move to the South at the beginning of the war.
"How can one receive the month of Ramadan while being displaced from home and living in a tent? How do we approach Ramadan? This is the hardest Ramadan for this nation. [...] We used to celebrate Ramadan in our homes and had all we need. There was a peace of mind. But now we live in displacement," one local said.
Another displaced person added, "We are striving to receive the holy month of Ramadan with all its blessings, but the overall situation is very difficult for us. We try our best to bring joy to the hearts of the children because they are not to blame for what is happening."
The United Nations has declared a 'humanitarian crisis' across the strip, with food, medicine and supply shortages causing the prices of goods to skyrocket.
"This Ramadan is different from the previous one. Last Ramadan, everything was available, all goods and products were available to people," one local vendor said.
"The siege and the war have made things difficult," he continued. "There is a lack of goods entering Gaza and there is a significant shortage of money and job opportunities for the residents. People are awfully suffering from the current economic situation and the rising prices."
Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping over 200, according to Israeli officials.
Israel declared war on the group and a 'complete siege' of Gaza, with a large-scale campaign of air strikes. A ground incursion began at the end of the third week, with Israeli leaders vowing to 'wipe out' Hamas. Palestinian officials reported that more than 30,960 people had been killed and more 72,527 injured at time of publication.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that Hamas locations and infrastructure were targeted in the response. However, United Nations experts warned against 'collective punishment' for the people of Gaza, before predicting a 'humanitarian crisis' and then claimed that 'hell is settling in' for the region.
Stores in Southern Gaza’s crowded city of Rafah were seen overwhelmed with locals on Saturday as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins amidst difficult economic and living conditions in the strip, while fighting between Israel and Hamas continues into its sixth month.
Footage shows dozens of residents walking around the markets in search of goods to purchase.
Prior to October 7, Rafah was home to around 275,000 people. However, there are now 1.5 million Palesinians in the area after Israeli forces ordered civilians to move to the South at the beginning of the war.
"How can one receive the month of Ramadan while being displaced from home and living in a tent? How do we approach Ramadan? This is the hardest Ramadan for this nation. [...] We used to celebrate Ramadan in our homes and had all we need. There was a peace of mind. But now we live in displacement," one local said.
Another displaced person added, "We are striving to receive the holy month of Ramadan with all its blessings, but the overall situation is very difficult for us. We try our best to bring joy to the hearts of the children because they are not to blame for what is happening."
The United Nations has declared a 'humanitarian crisis' across the strip, with food, medicine and supply shortages causing the prices of goods to skyrocket.
"This Ramadan is different from the previous one. Last Ramadan, everything was available, all goods and products were available to people," one local vendor said.
"The siege and the war have made things difficult," he continued. "There is a lack of goods entering Gaza and there is a significant shortage of money and job opportunities for the residents. People are awfully suffering from the current economic situation and the rising prices."
Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping over 200, according to Israeli officials.
Israel declared war on the group and a 'complete siege' of Gaza, with a large-scale campaign of air strikes. A ground incursion began at the end of the third week, with Israeli leaders vowing to 'wipe out' Hamas. Palestinian officials reported that more than 30,960 people had been killed and more 72,527 injured at time of publication.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that Hamas locations and infrastructure were targeted in the response. However, United Nations experts warned against 'collective punishment' for the people of Gaza, before predicting a 'humanitarian crisis' and then claimed that 'hell is settling in' for the region.