Gaza Marks Eid al-Adha Amid Devastation
Palestinians hold prayers in rubble while Israeli strikes kill dozens during Islam's holiest festival, forcing the closure of all humanitarian aid centers.
Palestinians across the war-ravaged Gaza Strip marked the beginning of Eid al-Adha on Friday, June 6, 2025, with prayers held among the ruins of destroyed mosques and homes, as ongoing Israeli military operations killed at least 42 people during one of Islam's most sacred holidays. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation suspended all aid distribution operations indefinitely, citing security concerns after a series of deadly incidents near food centers, leaving the territory's 2.3 million residents facing an escalating humanitarian catastrophe.
The Islamic festival, which traditionally brings joy and celebration to Muslim communities worldwide, instead highlighted the devastating toll of the eight-month conflict that has reduced much of Gaza to rubble and left families struggling to find basic necessities for the three-day religious observance.
Prayers Held Among the Ruins
With most of Gaza's mosques destroyed or severely damaged, men and children were forced to conduct the traditional Eid al-Adha prayers in open areas surrounded by debris and collapsed buildings. The scenes across the territory painted a stark contrast to the holiday's usual celebrations of family gatherings and festive meals.
"This is the most difficult feast that the Palestinian people have faced due to the unjust war against them," said Kamel Emran, following prayers in Khan Younis, according to the Associated Press. "There is a lack of, no, no, no, no homes, no mattresses... The situation is extremely dire."
The Islamic festival begins on the 10th day of the lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, coinciding with the Hajj pilgrimage season in Saudi Arabia. For the second consecutive year, Muslims in Gaza have been unable to travel to perform the traditional pilgrimage due to the ongoing conflict.
Sky News reported that much of Gaza lies in ruins, with the traditional holiday prayers taking place in the open air as food supplies continue to dwindle. The sight of worshippers praying among rubble has become emblematic of the territory's dire conditions after months of intensive Israeli military operations.
Deadly Violence Mars Holy Day
The start of Eid al-Adha was marred by continued violence as Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 42 Palestinians on Friday, according to medical sources cited by Al Jazeera. Local health officials reported that the casualties were distributed across multiple hospitals: 16 bodies were received at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, another 16 were taken to Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, five were transported to Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, and five more were admitted to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah.
"This is how Eid appears here in Gaza," remarked Al Jazeera's Tareq Abu-Azoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah on the inaugural day of the Muslim holy celebration typically associated with happiness. He noted that this year, the occasion serves as a stark reminder of Palestinian losses and the unimaginable circumstances they endure amid ongoing bombardments, displacements, and bereavement.
The violence extended beyond civilian casualties. Four Israeli soldiers were killed and five were wounded in an explosion from a booby-trapped building in Khan Younis on Friday, according to an initial Israeli military investigation cited by local media. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a "tragic and challenging day".
With these fatalities, the total number of Israeli military casualties since the commencement of the ground offensive in October 2023 has risen to 429, according to Al Jazeera.
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Suspends Operations
In a development that threatens to worsen the territory's humanitarian crisis, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation announced that all its aid distribution centers would remain closed indefinitely. The U.S. and Israel-backed organization cited security concerns following a series of violent incidents near aid sites that resulted in multiple Palestinian deaths.
"GHF will not be discouraged. Our dedication to providing safe, secure, and impartial aid delivery remains steadfast," the organization stated. "We are currently modifying our operations to address these challenges and are fully resolved to recommence distributions promptly."
The closure represents a significant setback for humanitarian efforts in Gaza, where aid organizations have warned that all residents are at risk of famine following Israel's stringent blockade imposed in March. The GHF had only begun operations the previous week, following international pressure that led Israel to allow some aid into the territory after a two-month complete blockade.
Fatal Incidents at Aid Centers
The aid distribution halt followed a series of deadly incidents near GHF sites. On Sunday, June 1, Hamas authorities reported that 31 Palestinians were killed and nearly 200 wounded in a pre-dawn shooting near a distribution center in Rafah. The Israeli military largely denied responsibility for the casualties, with officials claiming they fired only warning shots.
Additional incidents occurred on Monday and Tuesday, with Hamas-issued death tolls of three and 27, respectively, though these figures could not be independently verified. Videos and eyewitness accounts emerged supporting claims that Israeli Defense Forces were behind the deadly fire near aid centers, according to The Times of Israel.
Reuters reported that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation had suspended distributions on Wednesday, urging Israeli forces to enhance civilian safety beyond the boundaries of its operations. The organization briefly reopened two sites in southern Gaza on Thursday, only to close all locations again on Friday.
Criticism of Aid Distribution Methods
The GHF has faced severe criticism from humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations, over its methods and neutrality. Médecins Sans Frontières reacted strongly to the initial incidents, stating: "The disastrous start of the food distribution coordinated by the newly created Gaza Humanitarian Foundation confirmed that the U.S.-Israel plan to instrumentalise aid is ineffective," adding that it was a "dangerous and reckless approach" to aid distribution.
The organization bypasses conventional relief agencies, which humanitarian groups argue already possess the capabilities to distribute urgently required assistance and mitigate hardships for Gaza's 2.3 million residents. The U.N. had previously called the initial aid deliveries "a drop in the ocean" compared to the territory's massive needs.
Jake Wood, the foundation's original lead, resigned one day before operations began on May 25, saying he would not be able to work in a way that met "humanitarian principles".
Escalating Humanitarian Crisis
The closure of aid centers comes at a critical time when Gaza faces an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. According to Time magazine, Israel imposed an 11-week blockade on the territory in early March, severely restricting the entry of food, medical supplies, and fuel. Although some aid was permitted into Gaza in May under international pressure, aid groups have expressed concerns that the volume is insufficient to meet the population's desperate needs.
The U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that since Israel resumed military operations in March, 640,000 Palestinians have been displaced. This massive displacement has created additional challenges for aid distribution and has left hundreds of thousands without adequate shelter or access to basic services.
Medical System Under Strain
The ongoing conflict has also severely impacted Gaza's medical infrastructure. In a separate incident reported by Al Jazeera, a journalist injured in an Israeli attack on Thursday succumbed to his injuries, raising the death toll of journalists in Gaza since the conflict's onset to 226, according to Gaza's Government Media Office.
Dr. Goher Rahbour, a surgeon in Khan Younis, highlighted the dire conditions in hospitals while treating victims of the aid center shootings. "I treated two patients and extracted M16 bullets from their abdominal wounds," Rahbour told Al Jazeera. "When I spoke to these patients, they were adamant that the fire came from Israeli forces."
He also emphasized the critical shortage of medical supplies: "There is a shortage of everything—antibiotics, gauze, surgical tools".
Continuing Military Operations
Israeli military operations continued across Gaza during the Eid holiday, with forces conducting airstrikes and ground operations in multiple areas. Sky News reported that Israel issued fresh warnings to civilians about intensive new military operations in northern Gaza, citing rocket fire from the area.
The Israeli military issued evacuation orders to residents of certain blocks in northern Gaza on Friday, according to IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee. Witnesses and medics told Reuters that Israeli planes and tanks had intensified strikes on Jabalia and nearby Beit Hanoun since the early hours of Friday.
The Times of Israel reported that Hamas authorities said strikes had killed people in Gaza's Jabalia, Tuffah, and Khan Younis areas on Friday. The IDF had no immediate comment on the reports of deaths in the war-shattered territory.
Regional and International Context
The conflict that has devastated Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants executed a surprise assault on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities, predominantly among civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals. Currently, 56 hostages remain in captivity, with around a third believed to be alive after many were released through ceasefire agreements or recovered by Israeli forces.
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, Israel's military actions have resulted in the deaths of at least 54,677 Palestinians and injuries to 125,530. Sky News reported that Israel has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in its military campaign. However, the Gaza health ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures.
Impact on Religious Observance
The conflict has fundamentally altered how Palestinians in Gaza observe their religious traditions. The inability to travel for Hajj for the second consecutive year represents a significant spiritual loss for Gaza's Muslim population. The festival of Eid al-Adha traditionally involves the sacrifice of animals and sharing of meals with family and community, practices that have become nearly impossible given the territory's dire conditions.
The Associated Press noted that families have been forced to make do with whatever they could gather for the three-day celebration, with many lacking basic ingredients for traditional holiday meals. The absence of proper cooking facilities and community kitchens has made it challenging for displaced families to prepare even the available dry goods.
Economic and Social Devastation
Beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis, the prolonged conflict has devastated Gaza's economic and social infrastructure. The destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses has created long-term challenges that will persist well beyond any potential ceasefire.
The displacement of 640,000 people represents more than a quarter of Gaza's population, creating massive social disruption and straining the territory's already limited resources. Families separated by displacement and destruction face additional hardships during what should be a time of unity and celebration.
Transportation and Distribution Challenges
Adding to the humanitarian challenges, a labor union representing Gazan truck drivers called a strike this week, halting aid deliveries within the Strip. The Private Transport Association said it was responding to an incident Wednesday in which gunmen attacked a convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian aid in central Gaza, shooting and killing several drivers in the Deir al-Balah area and wounding and abducting others.
The Times of Israel reported that Israel has said hundreds of trucks packed with food, medicine, and other assistance were awaiting transport from the Kerem Shalom crossing to warehouses run by the UN and other humanitarian groups throughout Gaza. The union's ties to Hamas remain unclear, as most unions in Gaza were affiliated with the organization before the war.
International Response and Future Outlook
The international community continues to call for increased humanitarian access to Gaza while expressing concern about the escalating civilian casualties. The suspension of GHF operations has renewed debates about the most effective methods for delivering aid in conflict zones and the importance of maintaining humanitarian neutrality.
The criticism of the GHF's approach reflects broader tensions about how aid should be distributed in Gaza, with traditional humanitarian organizations arguing that existing UN and international agencies possess the necessary experience and neutrality for effective distribution.
Prospects for Resolution
As the conflict enters its eighth month, prospects for a resolution remain unclear. The continued violence during Eid al-Adha, combined with the suspension of aid operations, has deepened the humanitarian crisis and highlighted the urgent need for sustained international intervention.
The cycle of violence, displacement, and humanitarian suffering continues to affect all aspects of life in Gaza, from religious observance to basic survival. The transformation of a joyous religious celebration into a stark reminder of loss and suffering illustrates the profound impact the conflict has had on Palestinian society and culture.
Challenges and Hope
Despite the overwhelming challenges, humanitarian workers and Palestinian civilians continue efforts to maintain dignity and hope amid the devastation. The determination of families to observe Eid al-Adha prayers despite the destruction around them demonstrates remarkable resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship.
The temporary closure of aid distribution centers, while concerning for immediate needs, may lead to improved security protocols that could enable more sustainable humanitarian operations in the future. However, the fundamental challenge remains: how to provide adequate assistance to 2.3 million people in an active conflict zone while ensuring the safety of both aid workers and recipients.
The international community faces mounting pressure to develop new approaches to humanitarian aid delivery that can function effectively in complex conflict environments while maintaining the neutrality and effectiveness that vulnerable populations desperately need.
A Holy Day Overshadowed by Suffering
The marking of Eid al-Adha in Gaza on June 6, 2025, will be remembered not for the traditional celebrations and family gatherings that define this sacred holiday, but for the prayers held among rubble, the continuing violence that claimed dozens of lives, and the suspension of crucial aid operations that millions depend on for survival.
As Palestinians attempted to observe one of Islam's holiest celebrations, the reality of eight months of devastating conflict made normal religious practice impossible, forcing communities to adapt sacred traditions to a landscape of destruction and displacement. The day's events—from outdoor prayers in bombed neighborhoods to continued military operations and aid distribution failures—encapsulate the comprehensive nature of Gaza's humanitarian catastrophe.
The suspension of GHF operations, while temporary, represents a critical setback in efforts to address the territory's famine-level food insecurity. As international pressure mounts for renewed humanitarian access, the challenge remains to develop distribution methods that can function safely and effectively in an active conflict zone while maintaining the neutrality essential to humanitarian operations.
For Gaza's residents, Eid al-Adha 2025 served as both a spiritual anchor in difficult times and a painful reminder of how profoundly the conflict has altered every aspect of Palestinian life, from the most basic human needs to the most sacred religious observances.