Displaced Palestinians feel humiliated during Ramadan
As the sixth week of Israel’s presence in the West Bank looms, displaced Palestinians feel humiliated and are losing hope for the future, New York Times reported on March 11th.
The usual vibrant and populated Ramadan markets in the West Bank have been reduced to a trickle of customers. The impending Israeli military action has compelled tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes and many are uncertain about their future.
Displaced individuals from the Jenin refugee camp have been hit the hardest and are now living in appalling conditions, Middle East Eye reported.
Israel’s invasion of the occupied West Bank city started in January. The military operation has already displaced tens of thousands of people from the northern West Bank camp, internally displacing them to a nearby neighbourhood. Many are living in shelter centres where they face dire conditions and lack basic materials.
“I spent more than 40 days without gas for cooking, and until now I have no washing machine and I have to wash clothes at a neighbour’s house,” Maysa al-Natour told reporters, noting that she never thought she would commemorate the holy month of Ramadan far from her home in the Jenin refugee camp.
“There are no simple ingredients, not even suitable food for my children, and everyday iftar and suhoor pose a great challenge,” she added.
Like al-Natour, Bayan al-Qaraawi has also been displaced by the conflict. Despite living on the outskirts of Nour Shams camp near Tulkarm, al-Qaraawi and her family were forcibly displaced by the army. The camp has been the target of Israeli aggression for more than 20 days.
“We were forced out at gunpoint, with the soldiers screaming and rushing us to leave. The streets were bulldozed, and nothing was suitable for cars. It was a terrible day,” al-Qaraawi said.
“We used to live comfortably, and I never saw any of my family asking for food. But now, during Ramadan, the displaced face unprecedented humiliation, and our future is uncertain,” she added.
New York Times, Middle East Eye
