Amid War Rubble, Thousands of Palestinians Celebrate Eid Al-Adha in Gaza, Where More Than 37,200 Have Already Died

Thousands of Muslim worshippers celebrated Eid al Adha (or the ‘Feast of Sacrifice’) this Sunday both on the Esplanade of Mosques in Jerusalem, the third holiest place for Islam, and among the ruins of mosques and buildings in the devastated Gaza Strip.

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According to the Palestinian news agency, Wafa, at least 40,000 people came this morning to the Esplanade, where there were tense incidents when the Israeli authorities prevented many Palestinian youths from entering and stormed the compound to review their documentation.

On the eve of Eid Al Adha, brutal Israeli airstrikes on Deir Al Balah. pic.twitter.com/TXTZGtGqt8

— Wafa News Agency – English (@WAFANewsEnglish) June 16, 2024

In Hebron, in the occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank, some 8,000 worshippers today attended the Abraham Mosque (also known as the Tomb of the Patriarchs), where Muslims have very restricted access and half is a synagogue.

Meanwhile, in the devastated Gaza Strip, where more than 37,200 people have already died since the beginning in just over eight months, thousands of Palestinians prayed among the ruins of mosques and homes, according to videos shared on social networks.

Displaced people at a refugee camp in Gaza prepare Kaak for Eid al-Adha amidst the ongoing Israeli aggression. pic.twitter.com/j0EoKsZ6Xt

— Wafa News Agency – English (@WAFANewsEnglish) June 15, 2024

Year after year, Eid al Adha recalls the biblical sacrifice of Abraham – Ibrahim in the Islamic tradition-and is synonymous with joy and family reunions, with thousands of Muslims flocking to shops where they buy new clothes and food. Commonly, too, families buy a lamb or a calf, slaughter it and divide the meat into three: one third for their own consumption, one for relatives and one for people in need.