GAZA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Local initiatives across the Gaza Strip are bringing small moments of joy to children as the holy month of Ramadan begins on Wednesday in the Palestinian territories.
For many in Gaza, this marks the third Ramadan since the latest chapter of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict erupted on Oct. 7, 2023. Despite the Israel-Hamas ceasefire that took effect in October 2025 and ongoing hardships, residents and artists are striving to preserve the spirit of the month through creative and communal activities.
In Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, 33-year-old Rehan Shorrab is transforming empty cardboard boxes, once used to deliver humanitarian aid, into colorful Ramadan lanterns.
"I lost my home and several family members, but I wanted to bring some joy to the children who suffered from the war," Shorrab told Xinhua. "Ramadan should still bring warmth to their hearts."
She crafts the lanterns from cardboard, embellishing them with fabrics gathered locally, carefully cutting, shaping, and assembling each piece into intricate patterns. Some lanterns are displayed outside her tent for children to take freely, while others are sold to help support her family of five.
"The happiness I see in the children's eyes when they carry their lanterns gives me an indescribable sense of satisfaction," she said. "Sometimes, just hearing a child laugh makes me feel that everything I have done is worthwhile."
Among the children benefiting from her work is Yasser Bashir, who received a free lantern.
"The lantern makes us feel part of the celebration, even with all the difficulties around us," he said.
Similar efforts have emerged in Gaza City in the northern Strip, where Hussam Ali is fashioning lanterns from scrap metal and wood.
"I do this for the children," said Ali, who invites children to help decorate the lanterns, letting them craft their own stories and memories.
These individual efforts are complemented by community projects. In the Al-Sa'afin neighborhood of Khan Younis, a group of Palestinian artists launched a project painting vibrant lanterns on the ruins of bombed-out homes.
"Painting lanterns on walls is not just art; it is a message of hope for the children," said Mohammed Al-Najjar, one of the artists. "We wanted children to see that Ramadan remains a time of joy, even after everything they have endured."
Children often help select designs and join in the painting, giving them a sense of agency and brief relief amid the destruction.
These initiatives unfold against a backdrop of ongoing hardship. Many Palestinians continue to live amid rubble, under restrictions imposed by the blockade, while striving to maintain daily routines and traditional celebrations.
Organizers say their main goal is to provide happiness for children, particularly those whose childhoods have been overshadowed by war. Experts note that such efforts can ease the psychological effects of conflict and strengthen family and community bonds through shared activities.
"Even though the war has not completely ended and much destruction remains, these activities give children hope, distraction, and a sense of normal life," said Rana al-Haddad, a psychologist based in Gaza.
"While the future remains uncertain in the Gaza Strip, initiatives like creating Ramadan lanterns offer a small but meaningful way for children to experience joy, optimism, and a sense of belonging in a challenging environment," she added. ■
