First Day of Ramadan in Gaza: 'Cold' and 'Difficult'

In Gaza, the first day of Ramadan fell on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. Under normal circumstances, Ramadan is a time for gathering with family and friends to break the fast in warmth and fellowship. For Muslims, it is also a period for intensified worship, deeper religious reflection, and sharing with others.

However, conditions in Gaza are far from normal. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli military strikes have killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, caused widespread destruction, and forced the vast majority of the territory’s population to flee their homes. The offensive was launched after Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and took 251 hostages in the attack on 7 October 2023.

As Gaza residents visited markets this week, many lamented the worsening economic conditions that have made Ramadan even harder to observe.

“People have no money left. There are no jobs. Yes, it’s Ramadan, but Ramadan also costs money,” said Waleed Zaqzouq, a resident of Gaza City, as reported by AP News on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

He expressed hope that traders would take into account the economic hardship facing the population.

“Before the war, people lived with dignity. Now everything has completely changed. People are truly devastated and exhausted,” he said.

A US-mediated ceasefire that came into effect on 10 October sought to end more than two years of war between Israel and Hamas. Although major fighting has subsided, Israeli gunfire in Gaza occurs almost daily.

Israeli forces have carried out multiple air strikes and frequently fired upon Palestinians near military-controlled zones, killing more than 600 people, according to Gaza health officials. The Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that have been deemed broadly reliable by United Nations agencies and independent experts. However, the data does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Meanwhile, militant groups have also carried out shooting attacks against Israeli soldiers. Israel has stated that its operations are in response to such attacks and other violations. Four Israeli soldiers have reportedly been killed.