Palestinians gather for Iftar among rubble, destruction in Gaza

Описание: (20 Feb 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Khan Younis, Gaza Strip – 19 February 2026
++DUSK SHOTS++
1. Various of Palestinians gathering on long tables among rubble for Iftar
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Yusuf Shamiya, from Khan Younis: ++SOUNDBITE STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT AND IS OVERLAID BY SHOT3++
”All the rubble you see is the remains of our homes. From atop this rubble, we wanted to accept the invitation of our brothers who organized this mass iftar, so we could meet our families, brothers, and loved ones whom we have missed because of the destruction and their dispersal in camps and elsewhere. Therefore, this was a beautiful opportunity to experience the atmosphere of Ramadan amidst the ruins. We are still alive.”
3. Various of people breaking fast
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohammad Kollab, from Khan Younis: ++SOUNDBITE STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT AND IS OVERLAID BY SHOT5++
”Despite the displacement, the pain, and the destruction, we want to rejoice and live. We are a people who want to live; we are not a people destined only for destruction and killing.”
5. Various of people breaking fast
STORYLINE:
Among the rubble of what once was their homes in Khan Younis, men and children gathered Thursday for Iftar.

Like other Muslims around the world, people in war-torn Gaza began daily fasting from dawn to sunset since Wednesday when Ramadan started, and gathered to break their fast after sunset.

People sat to eat on a long, winding table surrounded by rubble under strings of lights and decorations.

”All the rubble you see is the remains of our homes,” said Yusuf Shamiya, from Khan Younis, who attended the Iftar.

"This was a beautiful opportunity to experience the atmosphere of Ramadan amidst the ruins. We are still alive,” he added.

Mohammad Kollab, another Khan Younis resident breaking his fast at the mass Iftar, told The Associated Press: ”Despite the displacement, the pain, and the destruction, we want to rejoice and live. We are a people who want to live; we are not a people destined only for destruction and killing.”

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.

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.

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

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