People gathered for communal prayers in the shattered concrete husk of Gaza City's Imam Shafi’i Mosque during the first Friday prayers of Ramadan.

Palestinians take part in Friday prayers in the ruins of the Omari Mosque that was partially destroyed by Israeli bombardment, ahead of the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, Gaza Strip,

Palestinians who returned to their destroyed homes in Gaza City were preparing on Friday for the Muslim fasting month Ramadan, shopping for essential household goods and foods.

A boy plays with a firecracker after Iftar, the meal that breaks the fast during Ramadan, in Gaza City, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/)

Palestinians shop at Sheikh Radwan Market, west of Gaza City, before the Iftar, the fast-breaking meal, during the holy month of Ramadan on Monday, March 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas are taking place in Cairo, and an Israeli official says the country's negotiating team was returning home Friday evening.

A sprawling tent camp for displaced Palestinians sits adjacent to destroyed homes and buildings in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Saturday, March 1, 2025 during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Surrounded by rubble and tents, residents of Gaza City break their fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a rare expression of joy after nearly a year and a half of war between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

Palestinians cautiously observe the fasting month as Israel violates the truce, threatening renewed hunger and bombings

This Ramadan is nothing like the ones before,” said one resident as the holy fasting month for Muslims began. “The war has drained it of meaning.”

Truce brings some relief compared to last year's holy month, but uncertainty whether agreement will last leaves war-wary Gazans apprehensive: 'We want peace and safety'