Residents of Gaza face dire conditions as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr, with Israeli airstrikes continuing and no sign of a ceasefire despite ongoing mediation efforts for a temporary truce during the Eid.
Hopes for a respite have faded as the war drags on, leaving many in Gaza deeply disappointed by the failure of mediators to broker a ceasefire as of the time of writing. The renewed fighting has worsened hardships endured during Ramadan, with residents bracing for further suffering should the conflict persist through Eid.
Ramzi Salah, 39, a resident of Al-Shati refugee camp in western Gaza City, had hoped to spend this Eid free from the relentless Israeli bombardment that has gripped the enclave, spreading fear among civilians.
Instead, he faces a third consecutive holiday—and a second Eid al-Fitr—devoid of joy.
“Our lives have become hell—no peace, no calm, not even the joy of Ramadan or Eid,” Salah told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“What crime have the children committed to be deprived of happiness? Families can't even afford to buy them clothes or gifts.”
Speaking in simple colloquial Arabic, he added: “Most people here are out of work. They can’t even find food, let alone buy new clothes or presents for their kids. Since the war began, we've been living in exceptional circumstances, but children still search for something—anything—to make them happy. And there's nothing.”
Adham Abu Suleiman, a resident of Gaza City’s Al-Nasr neighborhood, said the joy of Eid would always be incomplete as long as Israeli airstrikes continued and casualties mounted. He noted that many had hoped the ceasefire would hold and that war would not return in any form—but those hopes have been shattered.
“How can we celebrate when every family has lost someone dear, whether a loved one or even their home?” he said.
“Holidays and special occasions don’t heal these wounds, but at least spending them without the sound of bombs would make life feel a little better.”
A brief tour of Gaza’s markets revealed a limited supply of old clothes and shoes, with residents making modest purchases. A few sweets were available, but at steep prices.
Shopkeeper Rajab Al-Louh said business had nearly ground to a halt.
“People aren’t really buying—most just come to change their mood, to see what’s available,” he said.
“Sales are almost nonexistent, and we’re barely covering our own expenses,” he added.
