📷 Image Credits: Al Jazeera English
The Israeli military’s relentless attacks on Gaza and imposition of restrictions on the Al-Aqsa Mosque have cast a shadow over the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank are marking a sombre Eid as the Israeli assaults persist more than eight months into the war. In Gaza, where 37,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, people gathered amidst the rubble of their neighborhoods to pray on Sunday.
As the Israeli military advances with ground invasion in Rafah and central Gaza, the attacks have led to further internal displacement and widespread suffering. Many Palestinians are facing not only the fear of bombings and destruction of homes, but also severe dehydration and hunger, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. Despite the grim circumstances, Palestinians are holding onto hope and trying to find moments of joy, especially for children celebrating Eid without their parents.
The Israeli army announced a temporary pause in military activity along a specific route to supposedly allow more aid into Gaza. However, the pause has been criticized as ‘delusional’ by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, given the continued hostilities and casualties on both sides.
In Jerusalem, Israeli forces enforced strict restrictions on Palestinians trying to mark Eid al-Adha at Al-Aqsa Mosque, with many being denied entry to the site. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, checkpoints were set up and movement disrupted, adding to the challenges faced by Palestinians celebrating the festival.
Two senior UN officials in Lebanon warned of a heightened risk of miscalculation, underscoring the urgent need for all parties to prioritize peace along the border. As Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank struggle under Israeli aggression, the global Muslim community stands in solidarity during this important religious occasion, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
