Palestinians in Gaza observe Eid amid war and despair

Sunday 30 March 2025 - 11:10

In Gaza, Palestinians marked the Eid al-Fitr holiday with little to celebrate, as food supplies dwindled and the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict showed no signs of ending. On Sunday, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 19 people, including many women and children. Traditionally a festive occasion to end Ramadan, Eid this year was overshadowed by grief and loss for the region's 2 million residents.

Adel al-Shaer, attending prayers outdoors in Deir al-Balah, described it as a “sad Eid” as he mourned the loss of family members and the destruction of his community. His family had lost 20 members, including young children, in Israeli strikes. The war, which resumed after a ceasefire ended earlier this month, has caused severe devastation. Israel has kept Gaza under siege, blocking all humanitarian aid and supplies for weeks, worsening the suffering.

The conflict, which began with Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023, has led to over 50,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israel's military claims it has killed around 20,000 militants, blaming Hamas for civilian casualties due to its presence in populated areas. In Gaza, the destruction is widespread, with nearly 90% of the population displaced.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials approved the construction of a new road for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, a move critics argue could pave the way for further annexation of land near Jerusalem, undermining prospects for a future Palestinian state. International observers view such actions as part of a larger pattern of policies that threaten the viability of a two-state solution.