Mar 11, 2024 - World

In photos: Ramadan begins in Gaza amid growing humanitarian crisis

Aïda Amer

A young child is holding a lantern near a group of Palestinians people huddled around a fire. — A child holds a lantern in front of decorated tents belonging to Palestinians taking refuge in Rafah on Feb. 29, 2024. Photo: Belal Khaled/Anadolu via Getty Images

As negotiations continue toward a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, there is no guarantee of a pause in hostilities as Ramadan begins.

Why it matters: The monthlong Islamic holiday is arriving amid a humanitarian crisis as Israel continues to strike the enclave. According to UN officials, a quarter of Gaza's population is close to famine.

What's next: The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a group of governments, UN agencies, and aid groups, is expected to release a report in mid-March detailing the status of food insecurity in the Gaza Strip.

A man holds up a Ramadan lantern amidst the destruction of his home. — A man holds a lantern he decorated his house with for Ramadan amid debris in Gaza on March 6, 2024. Photo: Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty Images

A close up shot of men performing Islamic prayer. — Palestinians in Rafah at Friday prayer on March 8, 2024, before Ramadan in the rubble of al-Farouk Mosque, which was destroyed in an Israeli attack. Photo: Jehad Alshrafi/Anadolu via Getty Images

Palestinians walk past make-shift dry goods stalls set up on a street. — Palestinians walk past make-shift stalls set up on a street in Rafah on March 10, 2024. Photo: Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images

A close up shot of a boy hanging up a handmade paper lantern. — Palestinian children make Ramadan lanterns out of paper and hang them in their makeshift tents in Rafah on March 8, 2024. Photo: Abed Zagout/Anadolu via Getty Images

A group of women volunteers prepare food on trays. — A group of volunteer Palestinian women in Gaza prepared food on March 10, 2024, to distribute to families who fled Israeli attacks and took refuge in Rafah. Photo: Jehad Alshrafi/Anadolu via Getty Images

Two Palestinian children in the evening, standing between refugee tents and hold glowing Ramadan lanterns. — Palestinian children in Rafah decorate their tents with lanterns and illuminated lights ahead of Ramadan on Feb. 29, 2024. Photo: Belal Khaled/Anadolu via Getty Images

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In photos: Ramadan begins in Gaza amid growing humanitarian crisis

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