How one displaced family in Gaza is observing Ramadan's first day under a fragile ceasefire deal

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Waleed al Zamli longingly recalled the joys and traditions of the first day of Ramadan before the Israel-Hamas war had drastically altered his life: Lanterns for the children. Sweets. Special dishes.

“Before the war, we would greet it with happiness,” the father of 11 said, speaking from Muwasi, an area crowded with tents sheltering Palestinians who were forced by the Israeli military offensive to flee their homes.

Not anymore, he said.

It saddens and pains him that he's unable to provide for his family, which now ekes out an existence in displacement. Al Zamli lost his job after the shop where he had worked was destroyed, he said.

So, for the first Ramadan “iftar,” the fast-breaking meal, his wife picked up meals Wednesday from a charity kitchen that the family has heavily depended on. She made soup to go with it.

“This year, there’s no happiness,” al Zamli said.

Ramadan arrived in Gaza under a fragile ceasefire deal, but many Palestinians there say the month's typically festive spirit is eluding them as they grapple with the hardships of their daily lives and the grief and losses of the war.

Some of these difficulties were on display at the charity kitchen where dozens crowded, many with their arms outstretched as they vied for a spot and held empty pots. They included children, women and elderly people.

During Ramadan, observant Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset. It’s a time for increased worship, religious reflection and charity. In normal circumstances, the month often brings families and friends together to break their fast in joyous gatherings.

But circumstances in Gaza are far from normal. Israel’s military offensive has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and caused widespread destruction and displaced most of the territory’s residents. Israel launched the offensive after Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took another 251 hostage in their attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

For al Zamli, the biggest challenge this Ramadan is providing food for his family. He said he's received limited aid. Foods, like meat and poultry, are more expensive than their prewar prices, he said, and with no income many items are beyond his reach.

“The children want to feel happy like other people’s children, to get dressed and to eat something clean and special,” he said.

The financial strain can be especially amplified during Ramadan, he said. Typically, many shoppers throng to markets to stock up on food staples and buy decor and other supplies. Food can play a central role as the daily fasting gives way to nourishing, and for some elaborate, iftar meals. Muslims also eat a predawn meal known as “suhoor” to nurture their bodies ahead of the fast.

As Gaza residents visited markets this week, some lamented how economic woes cast a pall on the month.

Still, amid the struggles, some in the Gaza Strip have worked to bring a taste of the month's festivities — for example, hanging strands of Ramadan decorations among the ruins. At their displacement camp, al Zamli's children played with empty soda cans fashioned to look like Ramadan lanterns.

The Oct. 10 U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal attempted to halt more than two years of war between Israel and Hamas. While the heaviest fighting has subsided, the ceasefire has seen almost daily Israeli fire.

Israeli forces have carried out repeated airstrikes and frequently fire on Palestinians near military-held zones, killing more than 600 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. But it does not distinguish between civilians and militants.

Militants have carried out shooting attacks on Israeli troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed.

Despite some much-needed respite under the shaky ceasefire deal, many daily struggles, big and small, persisted.

Al Zamli said the war has deprived him and his family of many things. A son-in-law, he said, was killed, shortly after he married his now-widowed daughter.

This Ramadan, he will pray “for the bloodshed to end … and to feel security, safety, and tranquility” and “to be able to provide good food and clothes for our children.”

Fam reported from Cairo. Associated Press journalist Mohammad Jahjouh in Muwasi, Gaza Strip, contributed.

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Displaced members of the Al-Zamli family break their fast on the first day of Ramadan inside their tent in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Palestinian children play with fireworks as they celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Displaced members of the Al-Zamli family break their fast on the first day of Ramadan inside their tent in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Displaced Palestinian struggle to receive donated food for iftar, the fast-breaking meal, on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at a community kitchen in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Palestinians sit at a long table amid the rubble of destroyed buildings as they gather for iftar, the fast-breaking meal, on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The mood had changed completely for the Texas Rangers by time they got back to the ballpark for their home finale while still trying to get in the playoffs.

“Coming into today, it just felt like ... we still have a heartbeat, still have a pulse and felt like we'd come out and play the game with our chest out and our chin up,” manager Skip Schumaker said after a 3-1 win in their series finale Thursday against the New York Mets.

That kept the Rangers (79-80) tied for the AL West lead with Houston going into the final weekend of the regular season. Texas plays three games at Minnesota, and has two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom (11-10) scheduled to start the series opener Friday night.

The Astros (79-80), who hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Texas for the AL's last available playoff spot, opened a four-game series at the Athletics with a 7-5 win Thursday night.

When Texas players were leaving their clubhouse after a 7-2 loss to the Mets on Wednesday night, their third defeat in a row, the Astros already had a 4-0 lead in the third inning in Seattle. They appeared on way to a one-game division lead, really a two-game edge since the Rangers have to finish ahead of them. But the Mariners rallied to win in 10 innings.

“It really keeps you in it. (The Astros) win last night, it’s definitely an uphill battle. So you take advantage of it, and fortunately we were able to,” shortstop Corey Seager said.

“Everybody’s eyes were in Seattle last night,” third baseman Josh Jung said. “I know we were all texting about it on the group chat. So definitely came in revitalized this morning.”

Jung, who has played only 11 games since missing nearly two months with a left calf strain, had a two-run homer in the first inning Thursday that put the Rangers ahead to stay. Seager snapped an 0-for-15 slide with his 19th homer leading off the sixth.

In this season when it will never be more than three games out of the division lead, Texas has to try to finish one game ahead of Houston.

When the Rangers won their only World Series title in 2023, they went into the postseason as the second wild card after Houston matched them at 90-72 on the final day of the regular season. The Astros also had the tiebreaker then, but this time there will not be a postseason spot for a second AL West team.

“I’m not even thinking about that. I’m thinking about tomorrow, winning tomorrow. That’s it,” said Schumaker, the first-year Rangers manager who took Miami to the NL playoffs as a wild card in 2023. “Jacob deGrom's on the hill, and we have Corey Seager playing short, and JJ playing third, and I’m really excited about what the lineup looks like.”

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Texas Rangers' Josh Jung, right, is greeted near home plate by Justin Foscue after Jung scored both of them with a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Texas Rangers players gesture following a baseball game against the New York Mets, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)