GAZA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Abdullah al-Ashqar, a 45-year-old construction worker and father of five, stands before barren grocery shelves marked only by sharply increased price tags. For al-Ashqar, the holy month of Ramadan has shifted from a season of joy to one of profound desperation.

"Ramadan used to mean joy for us," al-Ashqar reflects. "We would gather around the table, break our fast together, and the smell of fresh bread would fill the house."

In early March, Israeli authorities blocked humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing the end of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, effectively shutting down the Kerem Shalom border crossing -- Gaza's primary conduit for food, medicine, and fuel.

The blockade coincides with the onset of Ramadan for Gaza's over 2 million residents, a period traditionally marked by communal celebration and spiritual renewal. Instead, many families now face the holy month with empty pantries and dwindling hope.

"My children ask me daily, 'What are we going to eat today?'" al-Ashqar says. "And I have no answer."

Before the conflict, his income from construction work sufficed for necessities. Now, with supply chains severed, even essential items have become unattainable luxuries.

Across Gaza City, once-bustling markets stand nearly empty. Food traders like Mahmoud al-Far watch helplessly as customers inquire about prices only to leave empty-handed.

"The closure of Kerem Shalom means nothing is coming in," al-Far explains, gesturing toward barren shelves once stocked with rice, sugar, and cooking oil. "People come, ask about prices, and then walk away. They can't afford even the basics."

For Mariam al-Hattab, a 40-year-old mother of seven who previously supported her family by cleaning houses, the economic collapse has eliminated her livelihood and left her unable to provide even bread for her children.

"The hardest moment for me is when my youngest asks for food, and I have nothing to give him," al-Hattab says through tears. "How do you tell a child there's nothing to eat?"

Hamas officials have characterized the blockade as collective punishment. Salama Maarouf, head of the Hamas-run government media office, asserted that "closing the Kerem Shalom crossing means cutting off humanitarian aid, stopping the flow of medicine, and creating a devastating food shortage."

The Israeli government maintains that security concerns necessitate tight control over what enters Gaza, citing fears that Hamas could divert aid for military purposes.

However, humanitarian groups argue that the current restrictions extend beyond security measures and constitute a humanitarian catastrophe. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that Gaza teeters on the brink of famine.

Throughout the Muslim world, Ramadan typically brings communities together for iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daily fast. In Gaza, this tradition has been reduced to a painful reminder of what was lost.

"We used to sit together at the iftar table, even if it was simple," al-Hattab recalls. "Now, we sit in silence. I don't want my children to see my weakness, but I have nothing to give."