This Ramadan, the absence of mothers is deeply felt in Gaza. Their hands once prepared meals, their voices woke families for suhoor, and their care created a sense of safety. But now, many tables are empty, their warmth replaced by grief.  

According to UN reports, over 17,000 children in Gaza have been separated from their families. The Ministry of Health adds that nearly 35,000 children have lost one or both parents since October 2023. For many, Ramadan is no longer a time of joy but a reminder of irreplaceable loss.  

Ilham Kamal Abu Asfa lost her mother, Samia Moqbel, in an Israeli airstrike in December 2023. “My mother wasn’t just a parent; she was my friend, my sister, my sanctuary,” Ilham recalls. Her mother brought Ramadan to life, decorating homes, preparing favorite dishes, and fostering a spirit of togetherness.  

“Ramadan without her feels like nothing,” Ilham says. “She would wake us for suhoor with kindness and fill our iftar table with prayers. Now, I prepare meals alone, tears falling as I try to recreate her recipes. I miss her in every detail—her prayers, her laughter, her love.”  

Jenan Zaqout, 13, lost her mother, sister, and grandmother in a November 2023 airstrike. Months later, her father succumbed to cancer after being denied medical treatment. “This is my second Ramadan without them,” Jenan says. “Last year, we were displaced. This year, we returned home, but the pain is worse.”  

Her mother’s qatayef and her father’s presence during Taraweeh prayers are now cherished memories. “I wish time had stopped at our last Ramadan together,” Jenan says. Living with her aunt, she tries to be strong for her younger sisters, but the void remains. “We lost everything—our parents, our home, our joy.”  

For families in Gaza, Ramadan is no longer the same. The laughter, prayers, and warmth that once defined the holy month have been replaced by sorrow. As Ilham and Jenan navigate their loss, they cling to memories of their mothers’ love, hoping to find strength in their absence. But the pain of their absence is a constant reminder of the cost of war.