AMNA NAWAZ: The holy month of Ramadan is# celebrated by over 1.5 billion Muslims around## the world.

For Palestinians in Gaza, Ramadan# is defined by hope amid destruction and loss.

We were able to speak with people in Gaza, in part# with the help of our "News Hour" videographer and## producer Shams Odeh, to get a closer feel# for their celebrations and their sorrows.

Bright lanterns line the stalls of this bustling# Al-Zawiya Market in the heart of Gaza's Old City,## marking the beginning of Ramadan, a stark contrast# to the great destruction just beyond the corridor.

The market is one of Gaza's oldest, more than# 700 years old.

Part of it was destroyed in an## Israeli airstrike in November of 2024.

The# Ramadan staples sold here, from dates to## olives and decorations, have been centerpieces# for the Muslim holy month for generations.

This is the first Ramadan since the# cease-fire between Israel and Hamas## in October, though Israeli strikes have# killed more than 600 Palestinians since.

ENAS OMAR, Ramadan Shopper (through# translator): This market is one of## Gaza's oldest, despite the destruction and# despite the .. still rebuilt much of it and brought# back the lively Ramadan atmosphere.

AMNA NAWAZ: During this month,# Muslims fast from sunrise to## sunset and immerse themselves# in religious practices.

But,## this year, the high cost of living and# the shadow of the war have taken a toll.

Shopkeepers like Louay Al-Jamasi# know this all too well.

LOUAY AL-JAMASI, Shopkeeper (through# translator): People have been deprived## of Ramadan decorations today because they don't# have electricity.

The cost of lant.. high because goods have not been allowed to# enter.

This lantern is now double the price.

AMNA NAWAZ: Saeed Al-Saqqa has been selling# pickles at the market for 20 years.

This year,## he says the vibrant Ramadan# atmosphere is also heavy with grief.

SAEED AL-SAQQA, Shopkeeper (through# translator): We are working hard to## restore our smiles here and bring Ramadan back# to its celebratory form.

But the pain remains.

I mean, Ramadan comes and you have lost# most of your family members, your neighbors,## your friends and your relatives.

So# Ramadan comes with the taste of loss.

AMNA NAWAZ: Families that once filled# multiroom houses with laughter and## feasts in the holy month now# live in eerily quiet tents.

For Amal Al-Samri and her# children, this is now home.

AMAL AL-SAMRI, Displaced Palestinian# (through translator): Before the war,## life was beautiful, we used to visit .. would go down to the market to shop for# the house and prepare for Ramadan.

Today,## there's nothing.

We are living in tragedy.

AMNA NAWAZ: Outside the tents, children# infuse their bleak surroundings with color.

ABDULRAHMAN ABU JAHL, Volunteer (through# translator): Decorating for Ramadan creates## room for joy, even if it's simple.

Of course,# today we are talking about children in Gaza,## whose survival is a success story# internationally.

We want them to## experience happiness and dreams to# welcome the holy month of Ramadan.

AMNA NAWAZ: Their artwork a defiant hope on# display for all to see.

Another sunset brings## another day of fasting to an end in a Ramadan ripe# with reflection, but this year also resilience.