What's happening?

Hanaa al-Masry's family normally celebrate RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic year, during which Muslims are required to fast from dawn until dusk. at home. They hang lights and lanterns in the street and make meals of cheese, jam, beans and eggs to eat before the sun comes up and fastingGoing without food or drink, either for religious or health purposes. You should only fast if it is safe medically. begins.

But this year is very different. Hanaa lives in GazaThe smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt. . Her home is now a tent. The streets have been bombed. There is not enough food and almost everyone has lost friends and family.

Ramadan lasts for a month. During it, MuslimsPeople who follow the religion of Islam. fast, pray and help others. They have a small meal before the sun comes up and another after nightfall. They eat nothing in between. 

Nearly two billion people worldwide mark Ramadan. That includes 99% of the two million people who live in Gaza. Their lives have changed dramatically since 7 October last year, when an attack by HamasA militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK. on IsraelA country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land. led to a war breaking out.

Many families are living on boiled weeds and tins of food brought in from Egypt by charities. Milk, fruit and vegetables cost a lot of money and are hard to find.

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LackNot enough. of food and homelessness are not the only problems. Israel has cut off electricity supplies and bombing has destroyed key buildings.

They do not have enough fuel, so donkey carts are now the main means of transport. On top of that there is fear of the next round of bombings.

Is there a glimmer of hope?

Yes! The Americans are now planning to bring more aidHelp or support. to Gaza by sea. And lots of countries have asked Israel to make sure that ordinary people in Gaza do not suffer.

No! The war shows no sign of stopping soon. Neither Israel's leaders or the leaders of Hamas, which run Gaza, will want the other side to "win".