Eid Al Fitr in Gaza: A somber reflection amid ongoing tragedy

Eid Al Fitr, a significant celebration for Muslims around the world, unfolds in Gaza this year under a pall of grief and destruction. Instead of the joyous family gatherings and festive meals typically associated with this occasion, the day is overshadowed by mourning, displacement, and the fear brought on by relentless Israeli airstrikes.

Footage from the besieged enclave captures Palestinians performing Eid prayers among the ruins of mosques and in makeshift shelters or overcrowded schools. The resilience of the Gazan population has long inspired global empathy, yet the ongoing conflict, now entering its second year, has magnified the weight of their losses.

“Eid was once a day of family reunions and visits; it has now become a day of farewells and funerals,” expressed Nahla Abu Matar, a 28-year-old mother, in an interview with Al Jazeera.

As reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 22 individuals were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the first day of Eid Al Fitr alone. The latest wave of bombardments, which intensified following March 18, has claimed over 900 lives and left more than 1,300 others injured. The overall death toll has reached a staggering 61,700, with countless individuals still buried beneath the rubble of their homes.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed the discovery of 14 bodies in southern Rafah on Eid's first day, including those of eight PRCS medics and one United Nations employee who had been missing for over a week.

For many families, even the simplest Eid traditions have become unattainable. Fear pervades the streets, making family visits perilous. “People are afraid to visit one another because a rocket could strike at any moment,” lamented Ezzedine Mousa, a resident who lost ten family members in the conflict. “Our children’s eyes reflect their fear, but we do our best to keep them happy with whatever little we have.”

The situation is equally dire for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, who endure the anguish of witnessing their fellow countrymen slaughtered in Gaza while facing the oppressive realities of Israel’s occupation and escalating settler violence. Since October 7, 2023, assaults by Israeli settlers and armed forces have become increasingly frequent, transforming daily life into a struggle for survival.

On Eid morning, Israeli forces tear-gassed Palestinians visiting the graves of their loved ones in the Jenin refugee camp, compounding the grief of a community already in mourning. Even during moments intended for remembrance and prayer, violence intrudes.

With tens of thousands of lives lost and entire bloodlines erased, Eid in Gaza now serves as a painful reminder of what has been lost. Yet, amid the devastation, the spirit of resilience shines through—a testament to a people who, despite everything, continue to cling to life, faith, and one another.