No festivities, only fear: Gaza's second year under shadow of Israeli bombardment
(MENAFN) For the second year in a row, the anticipated joy of Eid al-Fitr has been extinguished in Gaza, leaving a profound sense of loss and despair. Thousands of families remain displaced, their lives confined to the fragile shelter of makeshift tents, as they grapple with the haunting memories of lost homes and loved ones. Where once vibrant streets buzzed with festive preparations and the carefree laughter of children, now stand only ruins – stark and silent testaments to the relentless Israeli bombardment that has ravaged the enclave.
As Muslims globally prepare to mark the first day of Eid al-Fitr on Sunday or Monday, depending on the lunar sighting, in Gaza, the very essence of celebration has been tragically eroded.
In the Al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, the profound human cost of the conflict is palpable. Suad Abu Shahla, a 29-year-old mother of four, finds herself outside a tattered fabric tent, her days consumed by the struggle to comfort her crying child. Suad's home in Beit Lahia was destroyed by Israeli forces in November 2024, forcing her family into the precarious existence of a flimsy shelter, offering scant protection from the elements.
"Eid has lost its meaning here in Gaza," Suad poignantly stated. The stark contrast to previous years is heart-wrenching: "Before the war, we used to buy clothes and sweets for the children. Now, we can't even afford bread." The emotional toll on the children is immense, as Suad reveals their heartbreaking questions: "'My children ask me, 'Will we get new clothes? Will we ever return home?' But I have no answers.'"
Across the landscape of Gaza City, the deep wounds of war are visible at every turn. Collapsed buildings, streets choked with rubble, and shattered infrastructure serve as grim reminders of the devastating conflict that has stolen the festive spirit and replaced it with an enduring sense of suffering.
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