Ramadan has begun in Gaza under a fragile ceasefire deal, but many say the joyous spirit of the month has disappeared.

Two years of war have left much of the territory in ruins. As the holy month begins, the UN warns that conditions on the ground are ‘the worst they’ve seen’. Maira Butt reports

Despite displacement, Gaza families strive to create joy this Ramadan, navigating grief, scarcity, and fragile peace.

Palestinians in Gaza are preparing to welcome the Muslim holy month of Ramadan under a fragile ceasefire deal, but many say the challenges of their daily lives and the losses of the Israel-Hamas war are dampening the typically festive spirit.

This year, the holy month of Ramadan is particularly difficult for children caught in conflicts and crises around the world. Learn more about UNICEF's work for children.

OCHA said on Wednesday that partners were aligning the timing of meal preparation and distribution with Ramadan fasting hours, and they added additional fresh produce and protein products to delivered meals. As of mid-February, more than 20 partners produced and distributed over 1.7 million meals daily through 180 kitchens.

This year, Palestinians in Gaza observe Ramadan amid the aftermath of a two-year Israeli war that devastated infrastructure and left living conditions severely strained despite the ceasefire.

Amid the devastation, some in Gaza City are working to revive Ramadan festivities as Palestinian Muslims celebrate the holy month.

GAZA, Feb 19 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Local initiatives across the Gaza Strip are bringing small moments of joy to children as the holy month of Ramadan begins on Wednesday in the Palestinian territories, reported Xinhua.

It's a far cry from the first day of Ramadan before the war when the al-Zamli family celebrated with sweets and proper lanterns. Ramadan has arrived in Gaza under a fragile ceasefire deal.

The world has “entered the age of clean energy” and renewables are now the cheapest, fastest and safest source of new electricity almost everywhere, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a video message to the International Energy Agency ministerial meeting in Paris on Wednesday.