At the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, Palestinians visited the graves of loved ones killed in the Gaza war and prayed in ruined streets by the wreckage of a mosque. Coming at the end of a harsh Ramadan, they found little but memories to sustain them.

Sderot

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is 'at war' following a surprise attack from Gaza by Hamas militants.

Israel-Gaza War

At the onset of Eid al-Fitr, a significant Muslim holiday, Palestinians in Gaza commemorated their loved ones who perished in the conflict by visiting their graves. The solemn gatherings took place amid the stark aftermath of the war, with prayers being held in the streets, surrounded by the remnants of what used to be their community's infrastructure, including a destroyed mosque. This year's Eid al-Fitr, following a particularly difficult Ramadan, was markedly devoid of its usual festivities and joy. The residents of Gaza found themselves leaning on memories of better times to get through the holiday, as the physical and emotional landscapes have been dramatically altered by the recent conflict.



Gazans survive on memories as war ruins Eid festival

Few in Gaza can find solace, let alone celebrate, as the devastating conflict cast a pall over the start of the Eid holiday on Wednesday. As millions of Muslims observe Eid al-Fitr around the world, Palestinians visit the graves of loved ones killed in the last six months of war. Their focus is on surviving Israeli airstrikes, shelling, a ground offensive and a humanitarian crisis, and remembering happier times with loved ones. Ali Mansour visits her son's grave. Everything good in her life has gone, she says. Last Eid was the best of my life because I had my son beside me, in my arms, getting him ready. Anything he wanted, I'd do for him. I wish he was here with me. Prayers by the ruin of a mosque in the shattered streets of Rafah. Gaza's assault has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 75,000. Hospitals have been destroyed, medicine is in short supply, and many Gazans are at risk of famine. Mahmoud al-Hamedi uses a wheelchair since he was wounded by the Israeli military. Last Eid, I was surrounded by my children, looking at them with joy. But today, I am injured, unable to move or go anywhere. Most Gazans will be homeless on this special day for Muslims, which marks the end of Ramadan. More than a million people are crammed into Rafah, many living in tents after their homes further north were bombarded. Children gathered around a man with a drum on Wednesday, a small distraction from constant hunger and the fear of a threatened Israeli assault on the last relatively safe place in Gaza. Naima Dah lost two of her seven children to Israeli attacks. This is the Eid of destruction, she says. I lost my children. I lost myself. How can this be Eid for me? As you can see, we're hungry, no food or drink. What has become of our lives? Israel launched the war after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7. The militants killed about 1,200 people and took 253 hostages, Israel says.

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

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Israel-Gaza War