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.
President Donald Trump gestures while boarding Air Force One at Morristown Airport, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in Morristown, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
President Donald Trump gestures while boarding Air Force One at Morristown Airport, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in Morristown, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Has MAGA fever finally begun to fade? Will the American right abandon the Make America Great Again slogan and Donald Trump's populist ideology in favor of a more traditional brand of conservatism?
Following a crushing defeat in midterm elections that revolved almost entirely around one man, many Republicans have begun questioning the party's future and what role, if any, Trump should play in shaping it.
The Wall Street Journal, whose editorial pages have long represented the establishment right, called for "soul-searching" and urged Republicans to move away from the ultranationalist, identity-driven rhetoric that helped return the 80-year-old Trump to power.
In an editorial titled "The Trump Reckoning Arrives," the newspaper argued that tariffs and mass deportations were no substitute for higher real incomes.
It added: "Playing to the bro MAGA base is no substitute for persuading Hispanics, independents and suburban swing voters who abandoned the party on Tuesday."
"Still Your President"
The White House, however, appeared far less inclined toward introspection.
Its first post on X on Wednesday featured a stern-looking Trump accompanied by the words "Trump is still your president," a reminder that he will remain in office until January 2029.
But the American political calendar never stands still. Wednesday also effectively marked the beginning of the 2028 presidential campaign, which will culminate in the election of Trump's successor.
The US Constitution bars Trump from seeking a third term.
There was no realistic scenario in which Trump could have emerged from the midterm elections in a stronger political position.
The scale of the Republican defeat on Tuesday night, which exceeded even some of the Democrats' most optimistic expectations, has accelerated the erosion of his political influence.
Eyes on 2028
Vice President JD Vance, widely regarded as a potential contender for the White House in 2028, was careful not to confront his boss directly.
In a lengthy, essay-like post on X on Wednesday, Vance wrote: "The reason we lost is the war."
He immediately added: "The president himself said so last night."
That was not entirely accurate. Trump had attributed the defeat partly to the war in the Middle East, while also arguing that Republicans had fielded weak candidates.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the outcome as an "extinction-level event" for the Republican Party, suggesting Republicans might have to wait until 2032 to regain control of Congress.
Republican lawmaker Don Bacon wrote on X that the party "needs to reclaim our Reagan principles."
He added: "Voters rejected populism, chaos, Putin and tariffs."
Former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right figure who has turned against Trump, went further.
"If the GOP wants any chance in the future, it will have to kick Donald Trump out of the party," she said.
Matthew Boyle, a prominent figure at the far-right news outlet Breitbart, wrote on X that "Republicans need to get back to basics."
"No more endless wars," he said.
On the economy, which he identified as the top issue, Boyle called for policies that benefit ordinary Americans rather than special interests.
He also urged Republicans to "be sane with immigration enforcement."
Criticism Without Naming Trump
For now, however, criticism remains relatively muted. Only a handful of conservative figures, whether moderates or hardliners, have been willing to attack Trump by name.
After all, the Republican Party has tied its political fortunes almost entirely to Trump since 2016.
"The big question is, are some of these Republican leaders in the House and Senate going to distance themselves from Trump?" Amy Dacey, a former Democratic official who is now an expert at American University, told AFP.
The same question applies to far-right influencers whose prominence and financial success have been closely linked to Trump's popularity.
Dacey said a devastating electoral defeat could diminish their influence, but it would by no means eliminate those associated with the MAGA movement.
Some of MAGA's online supporters have already attempted to shift the blame elsewhere.
"Great work, neocons," Jack Posobiec wrote sarcastically on X, referring to the neoconservative wing of the Republican Party, known for its interventionist foreign policy and hawkish stance toward Iran.
Nevertheless, it may only be a matter of time before the divisions become more pronounced.
Former congressman Bob Good wrote on the same platform: "Gotta start by acknowledging that Trump was and is the problem. Quietly whispering it won't do it."
From Gaza to Congress: Adam Hamawy Becomes First Muslim to Represent New Jersey in the Househttps://english.aawsat.com/features/5337568-gaza-congress-adam-hamawy-becomes-first-muslim-represent-new-jersey-house
From Gaza to Congress: Adam Hamawy Becomes First Muslim to Represent New Jersey in the House
Dr. Adam Hamawy (File photo/AFP)
Adam Hamawy, a surgeon who previously volunteered in the Gaza Strip, won a seat in the US House of Representatives on Tuesday, defeating Republican Gregg Mele in New Jersey's 12th Congressional District.
The Associated Press called the race for Hamawy at 8:26 p.m. Eastern Time. At the time, he had secured 70.8% of the vote, with 80% of ballots counted.
With his victory, Hamawy becomes the first Muslim elected to Congress from New Jersey.
Hamawy was among 12 active candidates who competed in the crowded Democratic primary to succeed liberal Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, who is retiring after 12 years in office. A 13th candidate remained on the primary ballot despite withdrawing from the race.
The former US Army combat surgeon comfortably defeated Mele, an attorney, to succeed the Democratic congresswoman.
The result came as little surprise. Watson Coleman, an influential progressive voice in the House, won reelection in 2024 by a margin of nearly 25 percentage points.
Hamawy's victory keeps the reliably Democratic seat in the party's hands, according to The Hill.
Earlier this year, Hamawy secured the Democratic nomination after emerging from a competitive primary field.
Early Life and Humanitarian Work
Hamawy grew up in New Jersey after his family emigrated from Egypt when he was an infant.
He attended Rutgers University and its medical school before later earning a Master of Business Administration degree from the same university.
After completing his military service, he returned to New Jersey and established a private plastic surgery practice in Princeton.
According to his campaign website, Hamawy has also volunteered to treat patients in Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Jordan, Turkey, Bosnia, Haiti, Belize and Colombia.
He served eight years as a surgeon in the US Army, including a nine-month deployment with the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad during the Iraq War.
His Journey to Gaza
Hamawy, who lives in South Brunswick and operates a plastic surgery practice in Princeton, entered the congressional race as a political newcomer.
His campaign quickly gained momentum amid growing frustration among progressives over Israel and its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Hamawy came to national attention in 2024 when he was among a group of doctors stranded in Gaza after Israel closed the Rafah border crossing.
Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, who credits Hamawy with saving her life after her helicopter was shot down in Iraq in 2004, intervened to help secure his departure from Gaza along with that of other medical workers.
Duckworth's intervention was widely viewed as an opportunity to repay the surgeon who had helped save her life, according to The Hill.
Hamawy's volunteer work at a Gaza hospital during the war helped strengthen support for his candidacy.
He also received endorsements from prominent progressive figures, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna, according to Politico.
Opposition to War
New Jersey is home to a substantial Arab American community of approximately 179,000 people. The Egyptian American population, in particular, has grown rapidly.
Hamawy's congressional district includes approximately 11,000 residents of Arab descent, according to data from the Arab American Institute.
In a video posted on his official X account, Hamawy urged voters to support his campaign, saying: "Do you want to make Trump mad? Return your mail-in ballot today."
Hamawy has called for an end to US military aid to Israel. More broadly, he has expressed opposition to providing American military assistance to countries that commit human rights violations.
In a May interview with the New Jersey Monitor, Hamawy opposed the ongoing war against Iran, describing it as "an illegal and immoral war" that needed to end.
He also accused the United States of catering to the special interests of defense contractors and warmongers, as well as organizations such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and Israel's own special interests.
On domestic policy, Hamawy has advocated expanding access to healthcare, increasing funding for public schools and reducing costs for working-class families.
The Democrats are poised to take control of Congress following the midterm elections, having secured majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, turning Tuesday's vote into a stinging defeat for President Donald Trump and his Republican Party.
Abdul El-Sayed: 'As Michigan as You Get'https://english.aawsat.com/features/5337551-abdul-el-sayed-michigan-you-get
Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed speaks at an election night event, early Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed speaks at an election night event, early Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Abdul El-Sayed, 42, made history as the first Muslim elected to the US Senate after winning a crucial seat in Michigan in Tuesday's congressional midterm elections.
Born in Michigan on October 31, 1984, El-Sayed previously served as a public health official in Wayne County, in the battleground state. He has never held elected office, but he is no stranger to politics. In 2018, he ran for governor of Michigan, finishing second to Gretchen Whitmer in the Democratic primary.
El-Sayed grew up in the Detroit area with his father, Mohamed, an Egyptian immigrant who came to the United States to study at Wayne State University, and his stepmother, Jackie. His biological mother, Fatten Elkomy, is a psychiatric nurse in Missouri.
El-Sayed describes himself as "as Michigan as you get." He attended local schools, graduating from high school in 2003. During his school years, he captained the lacrosse, wrestling and football teams.
He went on to the University of Michigan, where he majored in biology and political science and played on the university's lacrosse team. He graduated in 2007 with highest distinction and was selected to deliver the student commencement address.
"We have the audacity to believe that we can change this world, and that each of us will," he told his fellow graduates, describing what made Michigan exceptional.
El-Sayed received a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Michigan Medical School. After completing two years of medical school, he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship for 2009 to study at Oriel College, Oxford University, where he completed a doctorate in public health in 2011.
US Democratic Senate candidate from Michigan Abdul El-Sayed departs after a press conference declaring victory in the primary election in Detroit, Michigan, on August 5, 2026. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP)
He was the University of Michigan's first Rhodes Scholar since 2004. At Oxford, he continued playing lacrosse and earned a Full Blue, the university's highest sporting honor, as team captain.
By 2014, El-Sayed had completed his medical education, earning his medical degree from Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons.
He subsequently joined Columbia's faculty as an assistant professor of epidemiology. Months later, then-Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan appointed him health officer and executive director of the city's Health Department.
El-Sayed rebuilt Detroit's Health Department following the city's bankruptcy. He later restructured Wayne County's Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services, which serves 1.8 million residents in Michigan's largest and most diverse county.
As a public servant, El-Sayed secured free eyeglasses for children in need, challenged some of Michigan's biggest polluters and expanded access to the lifesaving overdose-reversal medication naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan.
He also spearheaded a program to eliminate up to $700 million in medical debt for 300,000 Michigan residents over two years.
His work earned him recognition as Public Official of the Year from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and a place on Crain's Detroit Business's 40 Under 40 list.
Nationally recognized for his expertise in improving the American healthcare system, El-Sayed is the author of Medicare for All: A Citizen's Guide.
He later returned to public service as director of Wayne County's Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services, serving from December 2022 until April 2025, when he resigned to seek elected office once again, this time in the US Senate.
El-Sayed has also made a name for himself as a podcast host, including through America Dissected.
His medical credentials have attracted controversy, largely because he has described himself as a physician despite not holding a license to practice medicine in Michigan.
Although he studied medicine, El-Sayed came to believe that a broken political system was what was making people sick. That conviction ultimately led him to run for the Senate.
According to his campaign website, he entered the race because he believes life in America should not be so difficult and wants to build a government that serves ordinary Americans rather than Elon Musk, Donald Trump and their billionaire allies.
Responding to questions about his medical credentials in July, El-Sayed said: "I did graduate from a school that's literally called Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. So, you know, you can go have that argument with Columbia University if you'd like."
In his only previous bid for elected office, El-Sayed finished second to Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan's 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary, ahead of Shri Thanedar, who subsequently won a seat in the state legislature and later in the US House of Representatives.
Throughout his Senate campaign, El-Sayed distilled his platform into a three-part message: "Money out of politics, money in your pocket, Medicare for All."
He repeatedly emphasized that he was the only candidate running for the US Senate in Michigan who had never accepted a dime of corporate campaign money and never would.
El-Sayed lives in Ann Arbor with his wife, Sarah, and their two young daughters, Emmalee and Serene.
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