[News Terms] 'Ramadan' to Become a Turning Point in the Israel-Hamas War

As the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan approaches, the ceasefire negotiations in the Israel-Hamas war held in Cairo, Egypt, ultimately ended without any progress. The Hamas delegation left the negotiation venue in Cairo on the 7th (local time), and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared attacks on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, raising tensions. Consequently, concerns are growing that the war could worsen during the month-long fasting and prayer period of Islamic Ramadan.

Building in Rafah destroyed by Israeli airstrikes.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ramadan is the largest event in Islam and means the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. In Arabic, it also means 'the hot month.' It was established to commemorate the sacred month when Muhammad, the founder of Islam, received the revelation of the Quran.

The Ramadan period is determined each year by Islamic committees in each country based on the Islamic lunar calendar, a type of lunar calendar, by visually observing the crescent moon, so the dates vary slightly every year. Also, the timing of crescent moon observation can differ by region, so even in the same year, there can be a 1-2 day difference between countries. This year, Ramadan in the Palestinian territories begins on the 10th (local time).

During this period, Muslims must pray five times a day and practice abstinence. Eating or drinking during daylight hours is strictly prohibited. However, exceptions are made for the elderly, children, the sick, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women. Those who are at war or traveling are also exempt from this obligation. After sunset, families and neighbors in need can be invited to share dinner together. Additionally, smoking and sexual relations are prohibited during Ramadan, and harsh words such as lies or curses must not be spoken. Muslims believe that practicing such abstinence during Ramadan brings them closer to Allah. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, also emphasized that fasting is a 'good deed rewarded tenfold by Allah.'

Meanwhile, the reason the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have urged a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war is due to concerns that conflicts could erupt again during Ramadan, causing negotiations to completely collapse. Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh has called on Palestinians to march to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, one of Islam's three holy sites, during Ramadan. The Al-Aqsa Mosque has been a site of large and small armed clashes between Israel and Palestine whenever the number of worshippers increases during Ramadan. Analysts suggest that Hamas may again provoke clashes during this period to demonstrate its power and worsen public opinion against Israel.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.