UN chief advocates for peace in Gaza during Ramadan

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expresses concern over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, emphasizing the need for peace during the holy month of Ramadan

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a cessation of violence in Gaza, marking the beginning of Ramadan.

He directly addressed the media, stating, “Ramadan celebrates peace, reconciliation, and solidarity. Yet even though Ramadan has begun – the killing, bombing, and bloodshed continue in Gaza.”

As millions of Muslims worldwide enter the holy month of Ramadan, Guterres conveyed his warmest wishes. He highlighted the essence of Ramadan as embodying “peace, resilience, and generosity.”

However, he acknowledged the stark reality of conflicts, especially in Gaza, stating, “Sadly, many will mark this month while facing conflict, displacement, and fear.”

In Jerusalem and Gaza, Palestinians have been preparing for a somber Ramadan. The Israeli police deployed thousands of officers in Jerusalem’s Old City, focusing on the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, an area with a history of violence.

The current war, now in its sixth month, has led to heightened security and altered the normally festive Ramadan atmosphere.

In his Ramadan message to Muslims both domestically and globally on Sunday, U.S. President Joe Biden contemplated the prevailing situation. He stated, “As Muslims worldwide come together in the coming days and weeks to break their fast, the plight of the Palestinian people will weigh heavily on many. It certainly weighs heavily on me.”

Jerusalem’s Old City remains undecorated this year in respect for the dead, as community leader Ammar Sider explained. Israeli authorities have intensified their efforts against misinformation on social networks, arresting 20 people for suspected incitement to terrorism.

Hopes for a cease-fire during Ramadan have diminished, with talks in Cairo stalling. In Gaza, where the war has brought devastation and a looming famine threat, the mood is bleak. A Gaza resident, Maha, expressed the grim reality, “We made no preparations to welcome Ramadan because we have been fasting for five months now,” as reported by Reuters.

The situation in Gaza and Jerusalem, with intensified security measures and ongoing conflict, presents a challenging Ramadan for Palestinians, overshadowed by violence and hardship.

Source: Newsroom