For Gaza, Eid brought no difference as Israel continued to rain attacks on the enclave.
According to the army’s latest war update, Israeli air attacks struck dozens of targets in Gaza including “military sites, launchers, tunnel shafts, and infrastructure.”
It disclosed that sites in Jabalia and Gaza City’s Shujayea neighbourhood were hit from where it determined strikes towards Israel or Israeli troops were carried out.
The latest attacks also targeted several “terrorist cells” killing numerous Palestinian fighters, it said.
Israel’s strikes on Gaza at the end of Ramadan also resulted in a heavy civilian toll, including the killing of at least four children in the Nuseirat refugee camp, according to rescuers.
There were severe restrictions on Palestinians coming into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Only men over the age of 60 are allowed in and women over the age of 50.
People who live in occupied East Jerusalem, are allowed in but some of those young men were harassed by the Israeli police.
Eid prayers were also held outside the ruins of a mosque in Rafah to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Some displaced worshippers knelt on plastic tarpaulin outside their tents.
World leaders acknowledged the suffering in Gaza and Sudan in their Eid al-Fitr messages.
U.S President, Joe Biden, expressed sympathy for Palestinians in Gaza in a message to Muslims marking Eid al-Fitr.
“As Muslim families and communities come together for Eid al-Fitr, they are also reflecting on the pain felt by so many. My thoughts are with those around the world enduring conflict, hunger, and displacement, including in places such as Gaza and Sudan,” Biden said in a post on X.
“Now is the time to recommit to the work of building peace and standing for the dignity of all,” he added.
In a message wishing Eid Mubarak, Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, acknowledged that “the suffering in Gaza will mean many Muslim Australians will mark Eid al-Fitr with sorrow.”
“This is a difficult and anxious time for many,” Albanese said, “and I hope you can find some measure of comfort and strength among your family and friends and the expression of your faith.”
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres also expressed his sorrow at the violence affecting Muslims in Gaza and elsewhere in his annual greeting for Eid al-Fitr.
“My heart is broken to know that in Gaza, Sudan and so many other places, because of conflict and hunger, so many Muslims will not be able to celebrate Eid properly,” Guterres said in a video message posted on X.
The UN Agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, wished “a peaceful and blessed Eid al-Fitr” on social media.
“We welcome Eid al-Fitr with our hearts filled with sadness for what is happening in Gaza, the West Bank and across the region for those facing conflict, displacement and fear,” UNRWA posted.
The President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) called for “compassion” and “solidarity” in an Eid message acknowledging “unimaginable challenges” in Gaza.
Hamas Lauds Gazan’s Steadfastness
In a statement, Hamas congratulated Palestinians in Gaza for their strength and steadfastness as they mark six months of Israel’s assault on the enclave.
“We affirm that our people… in the West Bank, Jerusalem, in occupied [historic] Palestine, and in the displacement camps around the world, are standing in solidarity with us and our people in Gaza,” the group that governs the Strip said in a statement on Telegram.
“We congratulate the Arab and Islamic nations on the arrival of Eid al-Fitr,” it said, adding that it hoped genuine support would continue to grow for the Palestinian cause and for the objective of ending the Israeli occupation.
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