Ramadan: Gaza is trapped in a cycle of 'starving to fasting'

"There's no food in Gaza, no water, and nothing to buy. We don't have money, we've spent our savings, we sold our belongings, and we have nothing left."

Bahaa Talab slumps in his chair, he's barely eaten since Ramadan began. "We were already fasting before Ramadan," the Al-Saraya resident sighed, "On the first day, I ate a bite of stale bread and a cup of tea for Suhoor. While Muslims around the world agonise over Iftar, we agonise over when the next bomb will explode."

Food shortages, malnutrition, and famine now hang over the people of Gaza. In the north of the besieged enclave, the streets are filled with the grumbling sounds of bellies. At least 27 people, mostly children, have succumbed to their hunger pangs.

"Ramadan, usually a solace, has turned into a time of grief in Gaza. It's utterly heartbreaking"

A recent video showed two babies at Kamal Adwan Hospital in the north of Gaza taken from the cradle to the grave — they were only alive for a few hours. As a result of Israel's onslaught, 70% of north Gaza is experiencing "catastrophic malnutrition" with famine now "imminent". 

Meanwhile, in the south of Gaza, the markets are empty — there's no sugar, eggs, or milk. Whatever food is left cannot fill the stomachs of two million people, and even if could, the prices are beyond extortionate — some of the highest on earth. 

In Gaza, not enough calories means death

"People without food for Suhoor or Iftar shouldn't fast this Ramadan," explained Dr. Fahd al-Hadad, head of the emergency department at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital to The New Arab. 

"Fasting will leave them dehydrated and fatigued. Many are going from starving to fasting — this may lead to death. Famine is everywhere in Gaza, no family has enough food. However, if people wish to fast, they should at least make sure that they can sustain their health during their fast," Dr. Fahd said. 

"I'm speaking from a medical background and not a religious one, but it seems incredibly burdensome for people in the north of Gaza to fast. In the past few days, there have been several cases of famine-stricken individuals taken to intensive care units. The entirety of the Gaza Strip is overwhelmed by immunocompromised groups and Hepatitis A. 

"The main sources of vitamins and proteins are absent. Israeli attacks will lead to casualties who need fluids to recover. Our job is to save lives but, unfortunately, this Ramadan is going to be a bleak and sombre time for us all," Dr. Fahd concluded.

For those in Gaza who are fasting, Dr. Kamel Sayma, a prominent family doctor in the Gaza Strip, reminded The New Arab of the importance of a balanced meal for Suhoor and Iftar. "In a normal situation, fasting is good for the body. But due to the lack of food available, people should count on produce of substance — dates and powdered milk are essential. 

"In any case," Dr Kamel continued, "please speak to a doctor to discuss what to eat to break your fast. Eating the right food remains very risky. The lack of immunity here is insane, so we should first make sure that we're protecting ourselves from diseases first and foremost."

Stomachs are empty, brains are traumatised

In Gaza, every person has lived through tragedy; the loss of a loved one, cheating death, or eating birdseed to survive. Mental health in Gaza is at its lowest, tearing the psyche of more than 2.2 million people apart.

"What we see in the hospital every day is traumatising. We as doctors can't bear it," Abdul-Qader Weshah, an emergency doctor at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital told The New Arab. "Blood is constantly splashed over the floors, grey-faced children who survive Israeli bombs cry out, and mothers moan from pain. We're being terrorised," the doctor said, choking up. 

"It's difficult to fast amid such circumstances. Contaminated water, containing high levels of salt, will badly impact the kidneys and the whole body. It's the same for food. Unfortunately, fasting and getting injured will add fuel to the fire, causing instant deaths. Ramadan, usually a solace, has turned into a time of grief in Gaza. It's utterly heartbreaking."

Abubaker Abed is a Palestinian journalist, writer, and translator from Deir al-Balah Refugee Camp in Gaza, interested in sports and languages.

Follow him on Twitter/X: @AbubakerAbedW and Linkedin