TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Palestinians in Gaza gathered for a pre-dawn meal on the first day of fasting as Ramadan began in 2026 in several Arab and Islamic countries, while in some other countries it would begin a day later.
However, Gaza residents, who started fasting on the first day of the holy month of Islam on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, faced difficulties in accessing food and clean water amid the ongoing Israeli genocide despite the 'ceasefire.'
As reported by Al Jazeera, families, who used to have a table full of food during Ramadan before the escalation of war more than two years ago, now plan their fasting days based on aid distribution schedules. Many depend on communal kitchens as Israel refuses to allow more aid and essential supplies into Gaza.
Based on the 'ceasefire' deal between Israel and Hamas, which came into effect on October 10, at least 600 aid trucks were supposed to enter the Gaza Strip every day. However, the actual number was much less.
Civilians also face daily attacks by Israel, despite the fragile truce in place, resulting in the deaths of more than 600 Palestinians, over 100 of whom were children.
Meanwhile, in East Jerusalem, thousands of worshipers filled the indoor prayer spaces and open courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, while online footage showed Israeli police stationed inside the compound and moving among worshipers during the tarawih prayers.
Tarawih prayers took place amid increasing tension, especially in and around the Old City and the Al-Aqsa compound, where Israeli authorities have escalated terror, including the arrest and temporary bans on religious figures and Palestinian activists.
According to figures quoted by the Jerusalem governorate, more than 250 orders prohibiting Palestinians from entering Al-Aqsa have been issued since the beginning of 2026.
Israel has also intensified operations in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since launching the genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023. This coincided with a sharp increase in settler attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property; settlers rampaged with impunity, often supported by the Israeli military.
Ramadan Begins in Gulf Nations
Saudi Arabia said the new moon of Ramadan was sighted on Tuesday night, and the fasting would begin on Wednesday.
Religious authorities in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Palestine, Sudan, Somalia, and Djibouti also said Wednesday would be the first day of Ramadan.
The Sunni Endowment Council of Iraq also announced that Ramadan would begin on Wednesday. Shia Muslims in Iraq also began their fast on Wednesday.
Ramadan also started for Sunni Muslims in Lebanon on Wednesday, according to Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian.
Despite advancements in astronomy and the ability to determine the beginning of the Islamic month, religious authorities in many Muslim countries continue to rely on direct visual observations as the official method to confirm the presence of the crescent moon.
This practice has been followed since the time of Prophet Muhammad, who linked the start of fasting to the sighting of the crescent moon.
During Ramadan, observant Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn until dusk. After sunset, people traditionally gather to break their fast, known as iftar.
Muslims believe that Ramadan marks the month when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad almost 1,450 years ago.
Starting Thursday in Some Countries
Egypt will observe the holy month from Thursday, as the crescent moon was not sighted on Tuesday, according to the country's mufti, Nazir Ayyad.
Religious authorities in Jordan, Syria, Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, Tunisia, and Malaysia also announced the beginning of the holy month on Thursday.
Muslims in Turkey, Oman, Singapore, and Australia will also commence fasting on Thursday after authorities confirmed the start of the holy month based on astronomical calculations.
Read: Indonesia Confirms Start of Ramadan on February 19
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