In Gaza tents, displaced Palestinians keep Ramadan spirit alive for children

2026-02-17 - 06:05

Displaced Palestinian families across the Gaza Strip are preserving the spirit of Ramadan for their children despite living in tents and facing severe hardships. Using whatever limited materials they can find, residents are decorating their makeshift shelters ahead of the holy month, refusing to let displacement and destruction extinguish cultural and religious traditions. Tent Decorations, Defiant Hope In tent encampments scattered across Gaza, families have hung simple lights and handmade ornaments—a stark contrast to the pre-war Ramadan preparations in now-destroyed homes. The decorations represent an act of resilience, maintaining normalcy and joy for children who have known only conflict and displacement. Parents describe the efforts as essential for preserving their children's sense of identity and hope amid catastrophe. Living Conditions Amid Ceasefire The holy month arrives as Gazans endure winter in tents, with limited access to food, clean water, and medical care. A US-backed ceasefire has been in place since Oct. 10, halting Israel's two-year war that killed over 72,000 Palestinians and destroyed approximately 90% of civilian infrastructure. However, Gaza's Health Ministry reports ongoing Israeli violations have killed more than 600 Palestinians since the ceasefire took effect.