Israel drops leaflets hinting plans to stay in Gaza until Ramadan

Israeli warplanes are now dropping leaflets with the inscription “Ramadan Connects Us”, challenging the emotions of Gaza’s Muslims who are gearing up to celebrate the holy month in three months.

The message suggests that the Israeli forces plan to stay in Gaza until Ramadan, exacerbating the hardships faced by the local population.

“Yesterday, January 4, I was with my daughter in the local market, shopping for groceries, when leaflets started dropping on us,” said Khetam, a 48-year-old mother displaced from Gaza City to Khan Younus.

“This was the most frustrating feeling I experienced the entire month. We had hoped that the Israeli assault on Gaza would end soon, but it seems that Israel does not want to reach a ceasefire.”

Khetam said that Israel was using the month of Ramadan to “provoke our emotions and dash our hopes for a peaceful settlement before this time”.

“My 19-year-old daughter went crying after reading the leaflet. We already fled our home in Gaza and sought refuge in Khan Younis after the ground invasion of the city,” she said.

“We’re emotionally drained to face all of this. After the leaflets were dropped, we felt disheartened and decided to go home without completing my shopping,” Khetam added.

*Reporting by Walaa Sabah