Ramadan in the Gaza Strip is different this year.

The fasting month for Muslims began with Israel’s assault, which killed
more than 25 Palestinians.

Many who survived the attacks were left homeless after Israel demolished
residential and commercial buildings.

“[The Israeli army] told us that within five or six minutes, not a
single person should be in the building,” Majdi Dughmush told The
Electronic Intifada. His home was destroyed during the attack on the Abu
Qamar building in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City on 5 May.

“People were barely able to leave and alert each other to leave.”

“The joy of Ramadan is gone, the bombing left a huge impact,” Muhammad
Zayda, another resident of Abu Qamar, told The Electronic Intifada.

“We had bought everything for Ramadan and it was all destroyed at the
same time.”

Still, Palestinians in Gaza insist on resisting Israeli oppression by
celebrating the arrival of Ramadan.

“We will celebrate Ramadan the way we do every year, with our religious
tradition, with our customs,” said Ahmad al-Jaouni, who sells qatayif –
cheese or nut-filled pastries traditionally eaten during the month.

“The Palestinian people were born amid challenges, born to challenge
difficulties. We will overcome and victory is ours.”

Video by Ruwaida Amer and Sanad Ltefa