In a series of moving images that have now gone viral, residents in the besieged town of Douma - a suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus - are seen taking part in an iftar feast, amid the rubble and destruction. 

Held last week, the outdoor gathering for residents was organized by the Syrian Adaleh Foundation

The foundation is said to be running group meals throughout the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan. 

Speaking to the BBC, an official from the humanitarian foundation's Turkey bureau said:  "We would have normally been cautious to host such events due to air strikes, but we are taking advantage of the latest de-escalation deal." 

"One resident of the town who attended the mass iftar said several hundred people were present and that they previously would have had such meals hidden in mosques, fearing strikes." 

Soon after, striking images of the iftar gathering went viral with thousands sharing them.

Extraordinary yet heartbreaking

"Life despite death today in Douma"

Iftar amid the ruins

"Despite the difficult circumstances, these people hang on to life and teach lessons in perseverance"