"Make Your Ramadan for Gaza"—a slogan we have always repeated every Ramadan since the Israeli occupation began its siege on the Gaza Strip in 2007. Since then, the siege has been tightened and loosened multiple times, and Gaza has always needed the efforts of charitable organizations, benefactors, supporters, and donors. This slogan was never empty rhetoric, nor was it an exaggeration of the catastrophe that befell the people of Gaza.

But this year, the situation is vastly different. In Ramadan, Gaza must be present in every one of us. Our Ramadan must be for Gaza in word and deed—through stance, prayer, charity, and acts of kindness. Everything must carry one title: Gaza. But why?

Gaza today is experiencing its most difficult phase since the beginning of the occupation. What this besieged, devastated city is enduring has never been experienced by any other country or capital in the world. The human mind cannot even fathom the suffering of this small strip of land.

More than two million Palestinians live—if we can even call it living—closer to the dead in what has become the prison of Gaza.

There, no home remains untouched—either completely or partially destroyed by war. No street, alley, or residential area has escaped bombing, destruction, and devastation. It is impossible to walk even a meter without witnessing the marks of ruin, as if the occupying army is declaring its passage with tyranny, aggression, and oppression.

In every home and at every iftar table, tears of loss are present—mourning one or more martyrs. You might find a lone survivor fasting and breaking his fast alone after his entire family was killed. Or an empty table, as that family was erased from civil records. Or an iftar table missing a mother who once prepared the meal. The heartbreaking stories are endless.

But what does that iftar table consist of?

Do you know that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the so-called "end of war" is merely a media term? The war in Gaza continues—killing and bombing occur daily, despite the agreement, even if at a reduced intensity. From the very first day of this blessed month, the occupation has shut down the border crossings, preventing any essential supplies from entering Gaza.

No food, no water, no meat, no essentials, no fuel, no clean water—Gaza is days away from an actual famine. People fast but have nothing to break their fast with. The occupation is withholding everything; if it could prevent the very air they breathe, it would.

Even the humanitarian aid that used to arrive periodically has now been halted as well.

Despite all this, Gaza and its people continue to look toward those with kindness and to humanitarian and relief organizations, hoping they will not be forgotten. Do not abandon those who call for your help—make your Ramadan for Gaza.

A greater portion of charity and zakat is urgently needed for Gaza’s impoverished families, given that the poverty rate has exceeded 90%.

Gaza requires continuous charitable efforts that match the scale of its ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.

But what are Gaza’s most urgent needs?

Primarily, there must be a focus on providing emergency aid and food parcels to residents facing starvation and an inability to purchase food even if border crossings were to open, due to the dire economic conditions and extreme poverty exceeding 90%.

The next step involves urgent humanitarian relief, including support for water services, energy, sanitation, shelter, and medical and emergency services.

Additionally, employment programs must be activated for marginalized groups, including workers and graduates, and emergency assistance should be provided to impoverished and vulnerable families.

Gaza's hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centers urgently need support with ambulances, medical supplies, and shipments of essential medicines.

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