A heavy shadow hangs over Jerusalem's Old City as Ramadan begins with no cease-fire
JERUSALEM — The sun was shining over the streets of Jerusalem's Old City this afternoon, but as Ramadan began with no cease-fire in sight, the war in Gaza cast a heavy shadow over the start to the holy month.
The streets beyond Damascus Gate are normally filled with people and adorned with lights, lanterns and decorations for Ramadan — but today, they were markedly quiet, with no signs of celebration as small groups of worshippers made their way toward Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers.
Israeli border police could be seen patrolling the streets, with at least one checkpoint set up just outside the Old City — the latter an unusual sight.
One shopowner, Freddy Hidmi, told NBC News it was difficult to feel "excited" about Ramadan this year. Still, determined to uphold tradition, he busily prepared qatayef, or semolina pancakes, a staple sweet for iftar — the meal at sunset where Muslims break their daily fast during the holy month.
Hidmi, 66, said that this Ramadan his thoughts will be with Palestinians in Gaza. "God help them," he said.
Food aid ship held up by 'diplomacy' and waiting to sail from Cyprus to Gaza
LARNACA, Cyprus — An aid ship expected to depart today with 200 tons of food destined for Gaza from this Mediterranean port has been held up as “diplomacy” over the operation continues, the U.S.-based aid group coordinating the effort told NBC News.
A barge laden with pallets containing rice flour, lentils and canned beans, tuna, beef and chicken has been waiting for days to be pulled by ship to the coast of Gaza, where it is due to be received by World Central Kitchen workers. The journey is expected to take three days.
The operation is part of a broader effort involving the U.S. and allies including Cyprus to open a maritime route for humanitarian aid into Gaza. All aid is to be inspected by Cypriot customs agents with Israeli observers.
WCK said there are no remaining “technical issues” either in Cyprus or in Gaza and that “World Central Kitchen is ready to sail.”
Israeli bombardments continue in southern Gaza
A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip during an Israeli bombardment this morning.
Red pins and protests at the Oscars
From award winners to those outside the Dolby theatre, the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza was present at last night's Academy Awards .
Protesters blocked traffic around the venue in Los Angeles, which slowed down the arrival of celebrities, with some protesters shouting "Shame!" at the guests.
Some celebrities walked on the red carpet wearing red pins supporting a cease-fire in Gaza, including Mark Ruffalo, Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell.
And Jonathan Glazer, writer-director of the Auschwitz drama "The Zone of Interest," which won best international film, condemned the current war in his acceptance speech.
“Our film shows where dehumanization leads, at its worst,” Glazer said. “Right now we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people.”
Palestinians mourn as losses continue
A body belonging to a victim of Israeli bombardment is loaded onto a flat surface by men in the southern city of Rafah today. Israeli strikes have continued in the region, despite hopes for a cease-fire in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Death toll in Gaza since Oct. 7 rises to 31,112, health ministry says
At least 31,112 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its military assault of the besieged enclave after the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks, the enclave's health ministry said today.
Another 72,760 people have been injured since the war began, it added in a statement on Telegram.
The ministry said that at least 67 people were killed and another 106 injured in the last 24 hours, with a number of victims still trapped under rubble.
NBC News has not independently verified the numbers.
New efforts underway to deliver food aid to Gaza
The Spanish organization Open Arms and Chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen are preparing a joint mission to get aid into Gaza, with plans to deliver food aid through a newly-secured maritime corridor.