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Mar 11, 2024 - World

In photos: Ramadan begins in Gaza amid growing humanitarian crisis

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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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