Palestinians gather for Eid al-Adha prayers beside the ruins of a mosque destroyed by Israeli bombardment, in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on Friday, June 6, 2025 (AP Photo)
Gaza Observes Eid Among the Ruins
This year, Palestinians in Gaza welcomed Eid al-Adha not with joy, but with sorrow and scarcity. War has turned their holy celebration into a painful reminder of what they've lost. With homes and mosques in ruins, prayers took place in open spaces, surrounded by debris.
Early Friday, men and children gathered across the Gaza Strip for traditional Eid prayers. They stood barefoot on rubble, where mosques once stood. The festival, usually marked by feasts and family gatherings, unfolded under the shadow of war.
A Feast Without Food
Families struggled to put together meals for the three-day Eid celebration. Food is growing scarce. With borders mostly sealed, aid is trickling in at a frustratingly slow pace. Markets are bare. Kitchens are empty.
Kamel Emran, a resident of Khan Younis, described this Eid as the worst Palestinians have ever experienced. “There is no food, no flour, no shelter, no mosques, no homes,” he said, capturing the mood of a people enduring extreme hardship.
No Hajj, No Celebration
For a second year, Gazan Muslims could not make the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. It’s another spiritual and cultural blow for those already suffering the physical toll of war. The Islamic lunar calendar has reached the 10th day of Dhul-Hijja, but there's little joy in the air.
In Gaza City, Sanaa Al-Ghola prayed near a collapsed mosque. She mourned her son, Mohamed, killed last month in shelling. “There is no more Eid after you’re gone, my son,” she wept, holding his photo close.
Aid Turns Deadly in Rafah
In southern Rafah, nine Palestinians died while trying to collect humanitarian aid. Eight were shot. One died from shrapnel. All were brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The Israeli military has said it's investigating the incident.
However, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.-linked aid body endorsed by Israel, claimed the Rafah aid distribution was peaceful. They disputed reports of violence.
Still, fear lingers. GHF has temporarily suspended aid distribution due to excessive crowds and safety concerns. Sites will now operate only between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., with off-hours declared closed military zones.
Israel Warns of New Attacks
Israel issued fresh warnings to civilians in northern Gaza on Friday. Military operations are expected to intensify after rockets were reportedly launched from the area. Civilians are bracing for more destruction.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023. Hamas militants killed around 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Since then, Israel’s military campaign has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, mainly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Most of Gaza is now in ruins. Nearly 90% of the population, around 2 million people, has been displaced.
Famine Threat Grows
The humanitarian situation is dire. The United Nations warns that Gaza faces widespread famine. Food insecurity is deepening by the day.
The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization says nearly 500,000 people in Gaza will suffer from extreme food deprivation by September. Malnutrition and starvation are spreading rapidly.
Rein Paulson of the FAO described the threat of famine as “touching the whole of the Gaza Strip.”
Danger at Every Turn
Aid collection points have become dangerous zones. Over the past two weeks, more than 80 people have been killed in shootings near food hubs. Witnesses blame nearby Israeli troops for the gunfire. Israel says it's responding to Hamas threats and claims some shots are warnings.
Despite accusations that Hamas interferes with aid, the need among civilians is undeniable. The suffering continues with no end in sight.
Conclusion: A Somber Eid in Gaza
This Eid al-Adha, the people of Gaza gathered not in celebration but in mourning. They prayed on rubble, searched for food, and buried loved ones. Amid airstrikes and hunger, they held on to their faith — and to hope, however distant.
In the heart of destruction, Gaza's Eid reminds the world of the human cost of war.
