News|Israel-Palestine conflictNo Ramadan joy, respite for families in Gaza City destroyed by IsraelNisreen Nassar and her family, like many other Palestinians, continue to live in schools and makeshift shelters.

As of Thu, Feb 18, 2026, the situation in Gaza remains critical despite a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States in October. Many families, including that of Nisreen Nassar, continue to live in temporary shelters due to ongoing hostilities and infrastructure damage. Nassar's family, displaced from Beit Hanoon, now resides in an abandoned school, facing difficulties in preparing meals during the holy month of Ramadan due to gas shortages.

The conflict, which commenced in October 2023, has resulted in significant casualties, with over 72,000 individuals reported dead according to statistics from Gaza's Ministry of Health. The continued violence has led to further displacement, with families moving from affected areas in the north to locations such as Rafah and Khan Younis in the south.

The Nassar family, consisting of Nisreen, her husband Thaer, and their seven children, lives under challenging conditions with minimal resources. They have been unable to return to their original home, marking the third consecutive Ramadan spent in makeshift accommodations. The family possesses only a few bags of clothes and thin blankets, and the children sleep on classroom floors.

Despite the ceasefire, hostilities persist, with reports of Israeli gunfire causing fear among the local population. Gaza's Ministry of Health indicates that more than 600 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire's implementation.

Amidst these challenges, the community exhibits resilience, with Ramadan serving as a time of spiritual reflection and endurance. The ongoing situation underscores the uncertainty and difficulties faced by the residents of Gaza during this period.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.