Ramadan on the western coast: displacement and despair

The noise of Ramadan markets was reduced to the stands of Somber buyers. A heavy silence replaced the living conversation. Lanterns are not sparkling on Windows and crashing the alleyways, the lights that floated on the streets, went dark.

“Ramadan shone”, Mahmoud Sukar, who was four father on the west coast. “Now, it’s just dark.”

The holy month was commemorated in Palestinian cities for a long time, community and spiritual loyalty. Families gathered in the evenings around the tables with traditional dishes for iftar – Fast breakfast. Neighbors shared food and other proposals and lighted with crescent lights in nights.

But this year is different.

In the West Bank, Jenin and Tulkarm, especially Israel, refugee camps in the occupied territory, and once in the streets glitting and rejoice in the laughter of children. One Israeli military operation What did historians escape from 40,000 Palestinians in January The largest displacement of civilians Since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war on the western coast.

For the first time, the Israeli forces sent to the tanks in decades Jenine And he set up a military writing in Tulkar. According to Palestinian officials, about 50 people were killed for the aggression. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they aim to eliminate the operation “terrorism”.

Palestinian government was implemented before Israeli operation Extensive security operation In Jenin who has become a Shelter for armed warriors that support Iran Hamas and Palestine Islamic Jihad.

A year ago, many officers told the New York Times that Iran is hidden to give the Palestinians on the west coast.

About 3,000 Palestinians have returned home since Israel’s military operation has returned, most of them remains displaced.

Mr Şükar, 40 and his wife Na’ila, 34-year-old Na’ila, his children and his mother and his mother fled the third day of the Israeli operation. They only stayed with the clothes they wore – Heirlooms, no wear, none of the decorations remembering the month of Ramadan.

Their displacement was divided by a friend of Mr. Sukkar and his 9-year-old son, and his wife, his mother-in-law and relatives with the remaining three-year-old. However, as Ramadan approaches, they tried to rejoin.

“We couldn’t stay apart,” said Mr. Sukkar. “Ramadan means we should be together. And we don’t want to be a burden on others.”

Mr Şük, in October 2023 worked in Israel before the start of the war in Gaza, but it has been unemployed since then. No fixed income, the family ended in the dormitories in the dormitories in the Arab American University, which is an initiative, which is funded by the government. They moved the day before the month of Ramadan, they were free to have their own cavity.

However, the displacement struggles continue.

“We left with nothing,” Mr. Sukkar said. “Now, we don’t know where.”

The Palestinians in Jenin, not only for security, but also for sights, sounds and tastes and tastes for voices and tastes. Tens of thousands were expelled, many families cannot break their fast in their homes.

In the Central Market in Cenin City, street vendors stood with experienced greens and plastic gallons of lemonade and carob. However, instead of seeing exciting buyers, instead of seeing exciting buyers, they face silently, but not crowded stalls, but more depletion and anxiety than sidewalks.

In previous years, families break their fast and visit their relatives, or a sweet sweet way from Knakeh, dough and white cheese. Now the streets are mainly empty.

Musaharati, who calls a traditional night, who swings a drum to a drum to arouse people for Suhoor – does not make a tour of the port before fasting fasting. For the offspring, he would remove small donations in exchange for the blessings of Ramadan.

“It will not beat our door this year,” Ms. Sukkar. “There is no door for Knock.”

In Tulkarm, Ramadan shades the shadow with uncertainty, residents say. The presence of the Israeli army is not only in fear, but also violates the rhythm of daily life.

Intisid Nafe, an activist from the telephone camp, said he was proud of a dinner for society. His small cuisine took refuge, was a gesture eating. Iftar table, Musakhan, was full of a fragrant chicken dish or maftoul, manually rolled cuskus.

“Nothing is like Ramadan this year,” he said. “I was cooked for others, I was helping in Ramadan kitchens. Now I look forward to feeding me.”

Mrs. Nafe, ‘he fell into the sister and sister when his house was destroyed in the military operation. The rest of the family was first moved to a mosque in a mosque. He later leased his sister and sisters later in Tulkarem.

“Ramadan about the family.” “This is the bread leaving the bread by visiting each other, sharing the bread. What is left?”

Ramadan, Themed Arab and Turkish Sabu, misses the traditions around the operas and Ramadan dinner.

“My mother, now 88, these dishes survived Nakba,” he said in 1948 during the establishment of Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the establishment of Israel. “It was the continuation of the houses we said.”

Ramadan dish structure is a privilege that is fast and the main amount of the displaced persons – the structure – water and dates. For many of Jeni, iftar is a box of food delivered by volunteers. Every evening, people run outside to get donations. The dishes often come in cold.

“We do our best to feel like a house,” he said. Sukkar. “I pour water on plastic cups. I slept how small we were. But not the same.”

A nostalgia smile on her face was flushing. “In Ramadan, iftar desk was the most beautiful thing,” he said. “Maybe our house in the camp was small and crowded, but in the time the neighbors became a family. This was our little paradise and security.”

Many IDP families will return home when or whenever. Israel did not give a sign of ending his activities soon.

“Ramadan is expected to be updated,” Mrs. Nafe, “but in Tulkarm, this waiting for a hint waiting for a sign waiting for a hint waiting for a life waiting for life.”