This is my third consecutive Eid al-Adha spent displaced, far from my home in Jabalia, in an area that has been designated a “red zone” under Israeli control.
During the war, livestock farms – of cattle, sheep, and goats – were largely destroyed. Only a very small number of sheep survived. Because of the Israeli blockade, the entry of livestock into the Gaza Strip has been prohibited since October 2023. As a result, prices have increased roughly tenfold, with a single sheep now reaching approximately $6,000. This sharp rise has deprived many families of the joy of Eid and the ability to perform the ritual sacrifice, which is one of the most important religious traditions.
The impact of the blockade was not limited to livestock. It also pushed up the cost of goods associated with Eid, such as chocolates and nuts. The price of a kilogram (2.2lb) of chocolate reached about $30, nearly four times its pre-war price. This rise has significantly dampened the festive atmosphere for many families.
Despite the blockade, the destruction, and the overwhelming sadness affecting hundreds of thousands of families in Gaza, people continue to hold on to life and try to create happiness from the simplest things.
On the night before Eid, I stood by the window of the house we rented in the Remal area of Gaza, overlooking Kazem ice-cream shop, one of the most famous and oldest in the city. The street was brightly lit, crowded with shoppers, and filled with stalls selling chocolates, fruits, and biscuits. For a moment, I stood there watching the people before deciding to go downstairs, have ice cream, and share in their joy. I had not experienced Eid night celebrations for three years because of the war.
I went down with my mother and my sister Zina, leaving my younger sister Tuline asleep, holding her Eid clothes in her arms. We walked into the street, bought ice cream, and moved through the crowds. The street was extremely crowded – Remal is one of the most densely populated areas in Gaza, especially on Eid nights, when movement becomes almost impossible because of the sheer number of people and stalls.
The sound of aircraft overhead was extremely loud, and planes were flying intensively. I found myself hoping that, this time, civilians would be spared, even though the fear of another massacre had become painfully familiar.
My smile was suddenly interrupted by the sound of rockets hitting the very street where I was standing. When I heard the first explosion, I put my hand on my head and my mother held me. We heard about four rockets in total.
We were terrified. I was shocked by the sight of shoppers running while carrying their bags. I saw a mother embracing her child and screaming that the building that had been struck contained her husband and children. Glass, debris, dust, and smoke filled the area.
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