In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians had little to cheer about on Sunday as they began celebrating a traditional Muslim holiday amid rapidly dwindling food supplies and the unimaginable end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
At least 19 people, mostly women and children, were killed in Israeli attacks overnight between Sunday and Monday, according to medical officials.
Many Palestinians prayed at destroyed mosques on the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the month of Ramadan.
It is usually a joyful occasion, with families getting together and buying new clothes for children, but most of the two million Palestinians in Gaza are simply trying to survive.
“This is a festival of mourning,” Adel al-Shaer said after an outdoor prayer in the central city of Deir al-Balah.
“We have lost loved ones, our children, our lives and our future. We have lost students, our schools and institutions. We have lost absolutely everything.”
Twenty members of his extended family were killed in Israeli strikes, including four young nephews who were tragically killed just days ago, he said, breaking into tears.
Israel resumed hostilities against Hamas earlier this month after the militant group refused to accept changes to a deal reached in January.
Israeli attacks have killed hundreds of Palestinians and Israel has barred food, fuel and humanitarian aid from entering the country for four weeks.
“There are killings, displacements, starvation and sieges,” added Said al-Kurd, another prayer participant.
“We perform rituals to please children, but where is the joy of Eid? It is not there.”
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages.
Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most others were released as part of ceasefires or other agreements.
More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilian and combat casualties.
Israel claims to have killed around 20,000 militants, but provides no evidence.
Israeli bombing and ground operations have destroyed large areas of Gaza and, at its peak, displaced about 90% of the population.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
