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Gaza Eid: Joy Hollowed Out by Grief
24 Mar
Summary
- Eid rituals continued, but the joy was absent.
- Families visited bereaved relatives, acknowledging loss.
- Celebration became an act of protection against devastation.
Eid al-Fitr in Gaza this year was observed without its usual joy, overshadowed by pervasive grief. While traditional rituals like morning prayers, family visits, and the giving of money to children continued, the spirit of celebration was hollowed out.
Families moved through streets filled with people, but the atmosphere felt less like a celebration and more like a procession through loss. Each visit brought encounters with relatives who had suffered immense personal tragedies, including the loss of children, spouses, and entire families due to airstrikes.
Despite the devastation, Gazans attempted to maintain Eid customs. Families rented garages for new homes after theirs were destroyed, and mothers dressed their children for the occasion, striving to instill a sense of normalcy. However, these efforts were weighed down by the palpable absence of loved ones.
The day became a profound act of bearing witness. Visits were not merely for celebration but to acknowledge the dead and offer support to the bereaved. This shared mourning, rooted in love and kinship, defined the observance of Eid in Gaza.
