On the first morning of Eid al-Adha, families gathered under the damaged dome of al-Albani Mosque in Khan Younis, Gaza, marking the holiday with cries of takbir despite the absence of traditional festivities. This year, the solemnity of Eid was overshadowed by grief; there were no lambs to sacrifice or celebratory meals—just despair lingering in the air. Eftarag Abou Sabaa expressed the sorrow felt throughout the community, stating, “We sacrifice the blood of martyrs,” instead of animals, reflecting deep mourning for lost loved ones.
As people quietly made their way to the cemetery to honor those who perished in the ongoing conflict, the sound of Israeli drones added to the atmosphere of mourning. Ahmed Darwish poignantly noted that this Eid was not one of joy, but rather one filled with death, contrasting the usual celebrations with the gruesome reality of loss. Families continued to visit graves, confronted with the stark absence of joy.
Reports of casualties were dire; Reda Abdel Rahim Eljara recounted losing multiple family members, including her son, whose wedding had been celebrated just months before. Umm Ahmad Al-Qatati shared the tragic fate of her 11-year-old son, shot as he prepared for the festivities.
In this environment of sorrow, the resilience of children like Thaer al-Salmi emerged, as he sought solace in prayer and attempts to capture the spirit of Eid amidst devastation. He expressed hopes for a future without war, longing for a return to the joyous celebrations of past Eids. This stark juxtaposition of grief and a yearning for normalcy encapsulates the profound impact of conflict on communal traditions.
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