Palestinians across the Gaza Strip performed Eid al Adha prayers among displacement tents and the ruins of destroyed buildings, in scenes reflecting the continuing humanitarian catastrophe caused by the war.
Large crowds gathered for Eid prayers at the New Camp in Nuseirat in central Gaza, while hundreds more prayed in Al Zawayda municipality and the city of Deir al Balah.
In Khan Younis, families visited the graves of martyrs on the first day of Eid, carrying prayers and longing for loved ones taken by the war.
The Al Falouja cemetery in Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza also witnessed large numbers of Palestinian visitors during the opening day of Eid al Adha.
Relentless Bombardment Continues
Al Ghad’s correspondent in Khan Younis reported ongoing Israeli violations and military escalation despite the Eid atmosphere.
According to the report, Israeli drones of various types continued flying at low altitudes throughout the area.
Israeli helicopters were also reported to have opened fire on the eastern parts of Khan Younis, while artillery shelling continued from last night through to the morning hours.
The correspondent stated that the sounds of explosions coincided with the Eid takbirs heard across the city.
In the south eastern areas of Khan Younis, heavy explosions were heard as a result of artillery bombardment and gunfire launched from Israeli military watchtowers and occupation vehicles.
The shelling also continued in the north western areas of Rafah in southern Gaza.
According to the correspondent, Israeli attacks additionally targeted central Gaza areas, including Al Maghazi refugee camp and Deir al Balah.
Eid Without Joy
Al Ghad’s correspondent confirmed the near total absence of Eid celebrations among most residents of the Gaza Strip, particularly as bombardment continues alongside the killing and wounding of Palestinians.
He added that Eid al Adha arrives this year without sacrificial animals that would normally bring joy to Palestinian families, amid the occupation’s tightening siege and the obstruction of humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
The correspondent stressed that humanitarian and field conditions across Gaza on the first day of Eid al Adha remain extremely difficult, overshadowed by grief, bombardment, and mass displacement.
