'Eid of sadness': Palestinians in Gaza mark Muslim holiday with dwindling food and no end to war

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinians successful the Gaza Strip had small to observe connected Sunday arsenic they began marking a usually festive Muslim vacation with rapidly dwindling nutrient supplies and nary extremity successful show to the Israel-Hamas war.

Many held prayers extracurricular demolished mosques connected the Eid al-Fitr vacation marking the extremity of the fasting period of Ramadan. It's expected to beryllium a joyous occasion, erstwhile families stitchery for feasts and acquisition caller apparel for children — but astir of Gaza's 2 cardinal Palestinians are conscionable trying to survive.

“It’s the Eid of Sadness,” Adel al-Shaer said aft attending outdoor prayers successful the cardinal municipality of Deir al-Balah. “We mislaid our loved ones, our children, our lives, and our futures. We mislaid our students, our schools, and our institutions. We mislaid everything.”

Twenty members of his extended household person been killed successful Israeli strikes, including 4 young nephews conscionable a fewer days ago, helium said arsenic helium broke into tears.

Israel ended the ceasefire with Hamas and resumed the warfare earlier this period erstwhile the militant radical refused to judge changes to the statement reached successful January. Israeli strikes person killed hundreds of Palestinians, and Israel has allowed nary food, substance oregon humanitarian assistance to participate for 4 weeks.

"There is killing, displacement, hunger, and a siege," said Saed al-Kourd, different worshipper. “We spell retired to execute God’s rituals successful bid to marque the children happy, but arsenic for the joyousness of Eid? There is nary Eid.”

The warfare began erstwhile Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel connected Oct. 7, 2023, sidesplitting immoderate 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Hamas is inactive holding 59 captives — 24 of whom are believed to beryllium live — aft astir of the remainder were released successful ceasefires oregon different agreements.

Israel's violative has killed implicit 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not separate betwixt civilians and combatants successful its tally. Israel says it has killed astir 20,000 militants, without providing evidence.

Israel's bombardment and crushed operations person destroyed immense areas of Gaza and astatine their tallness displaced astir 90% of the population.

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