Ibrahim Ahmed from Gaza calls this the hardest Eid yet, as the region reels under a crushing economic and humanitarian crisis
News Desk
GAZA: Eid al-Adha in Gaza this year was marked not by celebration but by profound grief and hardship, as the people continue to endure over 600 days of relentless Israeli military operations. The massacre of innocent Palestinian children and civilians has trapped the community in a cycle of destruction and deprivation, making this Eid one of the bleakest in recent history.
What is traditionally a time of joy, sacrifice, and togetherness has instead become a harsh test of resilience for Palestinians. Ibrahim Ahmed, a Gaza resident, told Al Jazeera that this was the hardest Eid of their lives, describing the severe economic and humanitarian crisis gripping the region. He recounted how the mosque where Eid prayers were once held lies in ruins, forcing worshippers to pray amid the rubble.
The sorrow was echoed by Saeed Nasir, a young boy who shared that families could not afford new clothes, sweets, or even sacrificial animals — essentials that once symbolized the spirit of Eid. The widespread destruction around them has deeply altered the meaning of the festival.
The situation was further darkened by ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Eid day, which claimed the lives of 34 Palestinians. In light of growing security threats, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation closed all aid centers, advising vulnerable Palestinians to avoid these locations for their safety.
Local authorities reported that since aid activities resumed last month, at least 110 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to access humanitarian assistance, highlighting the extreme dangers faced even in seeking basic relief.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli military actions have caused over 54,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 125,000 injuries. This staggering toll leaves a community battered, mourning, and struggling to find hope during what should be a time of faith and renewal. The tragedy of Gaza’s Eid serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for peace and humanitarian intervention.
