In Misery, Gaza Celebrates Victory Day

On Sunday (30/3/3025), the majority of Muslims around the world, including residents in the Gaza Strip, celebrated Eid al-Fitr. A day of triumph that should have been filled with joy, in reality, was not the case for them.

Just like last year's Eid al-Fitr, this year Eid al-Fitr once again greets the residents of Gaza amidst the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. On this day of triumph, the people of Gaza instead celebrate Eid al-Fitr in sorrow and profound grief. They have lost family members due to Israeli attacks.

"This Eid al-Fitr celebration is heartbreaking," said Adel al-Shaer after attending prayers amidst the ruins in the central city of Deir al-Balah. "We have lost our loved ones, our children, our lives, and our future," added al-Shaer while crying.

On Sunday night, an Israeli attack struck a tent in Deir al-Balah, killing at least two people. "There is murder, displacement, starvation, and siege," said Saed al-Kourd, a worshipper. "We went out to celebrate Eid al-Fitr so the children could be happy. But what about the joy of Eid al-Fitr? There is no Eid al-Fitr," added al-Kourd.

At the end of the month of Ramadan, Gaza residents welcomed Eid al-Fitr with simplicity, without new clothes and with only modest food. Many Palestinians in Gaza performed Eid prayers outside the mosques that had been destroyed.

Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended on March 1, 2025, Israel has resumed the 17-month war. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the war has killed more than 50,000 people.

Israel has resumed attacks on the Gaza Strip after Hamas refused to accept changes to the ceasefire, killing hundreds of Palestinians.

The Israeli strike also killed 14 emergency workers in the southern city of Rafah. Their bodies were found a week after the Israeli strike.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies called the Israeli attack the deadliest attack on Red Cross and Red Crescent workers worldwide since 2017. The PRCS said targeting medical personnel constituted a war crime.

Israel also blocked access to humanitarian aid into Gaza when the ceasefire ended, leaving Gazans with little food, fuel and humanitarian aid for the past month.

The worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza has prompted Arab mediators to continue trying to get the ceasefire back on track. Hamas said Saturday it had received new proposals from Egypt and Qatar.

Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayyah announced that his side had agreed to a ceasefire plan drawn up by Egypt and Qatar. They would release the five surviving hostages in exchange for Israel allowing in social aid.

Meanwhile, Israel said it was coordinating with the US. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still coordinating with the US to draft the proposal.

Netanyahu said Israel would continue its military offensive while negotiations continued, rejecting suggestions that Israel did not want to end the war.

In the ceasefire talks, the US is mediating for Israel. But details of the proposal are not yet known.

So far, Israel has often set conditions that go far beyond the ceasefire agreement. This made Hamas reject these conditions.

"Hamas will disarm. Its leaders will be allowed to leave. We will maintain public security in the Gaza Strip and make it possible for (President Donald) Trump's plan to be realized," Netanyahu told a Cabinet meeting.

Trump has proposed resettling Gaza residents in other countries so the US can rebuild Gaza for others.

Palestinians say they do not want to leave their homeland. Human rights experts say Trump's plan could violate international law.

Gaza residents really want the war to end immediately. They were fed up and frustrated, so they held demonstrations last week in the cities of northern Gaza. They asked Hamas to leave Gaza. They want life. At least so they can truly celebrate their victory day, not just survive. (AP)