(15 Mar 2025)
RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Beit Lahiya – Gaza – 15 March 2025
1. Various of people of Gaza preparing for a mass Iftar in Beit Lahiya in Gaza Strip amongst destroyed buildings, people sitting on the ground while others are serving them with food and drinks
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abo Ahed Alzeit, Mayor of Beit Lahiya:
“We have been following this tradition for four or five years every Ramadan, except for last year when we were unable to hold the “Al-Lamma Allahwaniya” (The Layhia gathering). Thanks to the efforts of the youth and individuals—rather than any organizations—this event is an entirely personal effort and is called “Lamma Allahwaniya.” We take pride and joy in seeing each other, as neighbours, relatives, and loved ones, on this blessed day.”
3. Various of participants starting to eat at sunset breaking their fasting
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mosheer Hammouda, participant in the mass Iftar:
“This gathering is distinguished by its simplicity and spontaneity. Despite the scarcity of food supplies, all the dishes are different from one another. There is no meat, no fish, and no poultry. People have come together with whatever little they have.”
5. Various of people from the area having their Iftar
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mosheer Hammouda, participant in the mass Iftar:
“The main goal is bringing people together and fostering unity, as you can see around you. This gathering is held under the slogan ‘On this land, there is something worth living for’ and under one flag, the flag of Palestine.”
7. Various of participants gathering in the place of the mass Iftar after eating
STORYLINE:
Hundreds of Palestinians gathered on Saturday in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza for Iftar.
The residents of the area decided to meet for Iftar – when Muslims break the fast during the holy month of Ramadan – to share the food and the meal they have with others.
For two weeks, Israel has barred the delivery of food, fuel and other supplies to Gaza’s roughly two million Palestinians, and cut electricity to a desalination plant to the territory a week ago, to pressure Hamas to accept the new proposal.
The ceasefire’s first phase that started on January 19 and ended on March 1st, saw the release of 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces pulled back to a buffer zone along Gaza’s border and allowed a surge of humanitarian aid.
The gathering, which is called Al-Lamma Allahwaniyah – the Lahiya gathering – has been a tradition for several years according to Abo Ahed Alzeit, the Mayor of Beit Lahiya.” We take pride and joy in seeing each other, as neighbours, relatives, and loved ones, on this blessed day,” the mayor said.
Mosheer Hammouda, one of the participants, noted the simplicity of the gathering. “This gathering is distinguished by its simplicity and spontaneity. Despite the scarcity of food supplies, all the dishes are different from one another. There is no meat, no fish, and no poultry. People have come together with whatever little they have.”
Hammouda further highlighted the broader significance of the event, saying, “The main goal is bringing people together and fostering unity.”
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostage. Most have been released in deals, while Israel rescued eight living hostages and recovered the bodies of dozens more.
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