Hundreds gather in Khan Younis for a communal 'iftar' organised by a charity скачать в хорошем качестве

Hundreds gather in Khan Younis for a communal 'iftar' organised by a charity

(19 Feb 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Khan Younis, Gaza Strip – 18 February 2026 1. Various of hundreds of Palestinians gathering at outdoor tables in Khan Younis ahead of a mass Iftar event 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hashim Al-Farra, Khan Younis resident: ++SOUNDBITE STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT AND IS OVERLAID BY SHOT3++ ” These are my children. I came to cheer them up, as a change of pace, to let them be happy a little after the war. Two and a half years of war is enough. Let them come and be happy for a little while. As you can see, they are happy.” 3. Various of families breaking fast on the first day of Ramadan 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Atif Fayiq, Khan Younis resident: ++SOUNDBITE STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT AND IS OVERLAID BY SHOT5++ ” We've been in war for over two years. We've witnessed horrors. We're unable to cope with these difficult circumstances, so we had to participate in this mass iftar to improve our morale and the morale of our children, God willing.” 5. Various of families breaking fast on the first day of Ramadan STORYLINE: Hundreds gathered in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Wednesday for "iftar", the fast breaking meal on the first day of Ramadan. Rubble from destroyed homes was visible in the background as tables were lined up for a communal meal provided by a charity in the devastated territory. Observant Muslims united around the world in a ritual of daily fasting from dawn to sunset through the month of Ramadan. The start of the holy month traditionally depends on the sighting of the crescent moon. This year, Ramadan in the Gaza Strip began on Feb. 18. while in other countries it will start on Thursday Feb 19. It is the first Ramadan since a fragile US-brokered ceasefire deal that took effect October 10 attempted to halt more than two years of war between Israel and Hamas. Khan Younis resident Hashim Al-Farra felt that after two years of war, his children deserved a moment of peace and joy at the beginning of Ramadan. ” These are my children. I came to cheer them up, as a change of pace, to let them be happy a little after the war. Two and a half years of war is enough. Let them come and be happy for a little while. As you can see, they are happy.” While the heaviest fighting has subsided, the ceasefire has seen almost daily Israeli fire. Israeli forces have carried out repeated airstrikes and frequently fire on Palestinians near military- held zones, killing more than 600 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations. At least four Israeli soldiers have been killed. For Muslims, Ramadan is a time for increased worship, religious reflection and charity. In normal circumstances, the month often brings families and friends together to break their fast in joyous gatherings. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...