Israeli air strikes kill nine Palestinians as Gaza prepares for Eid alFitr

As Palestinians prepared to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Israeli air strikes on Gaza killed at least nine people - including five children.

The dawn attacks struck as families were either asleep or getting ready for Eid celebrations, witnesses told Middle East Eye.

“We were safe in our homes, preparing to welcome Eid despite the pain, the bombs, the destruction, death and displacement,” Mohammad al-Qadi, who lost his sister, nephew and two young cousins in the attack, told MEE.

Originally from Rafah, Qadi and his family were displaced to Khan Younis, where they hoped to be safer.

“At around 1.30am [11.30pm GMT], we were surprised by bombings that shook the entire area,” he said. “We went to social media, Telegram, Facebook and were shocked to see that the strikes hit my sister, her son, her husband and my two cousins. [The Israelis] targeted their tent with what I believe was a drone strike, and my sister, her son and my two cousins were martyred.”

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Qadi’s nephew, Mohammad Rashid, was 10 years old. His two cousins, Abed and Nour, were eight and 12, respectively.

At least 921 Palestinians have been killed since Israel resumed its war on Gaza on 18 March, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Over 50,000 have been killed since 7 October 2023.

The war was largely believed to be over after a ceasefire agreement was reached in late January. However, Israel refused to proceed with the second stage of the deal, saying it aims to apply maximum pressure on Hamas to secure the release of Israeli captives.

‘We are welcoming Eid with shrouds’

Sunday marks the second Eid al-Fitr that Palestinians are spending amid the war in Gaza.

Ahmad al-Qahwaji, who was jolted awake by the strike that killed two of his nieces, said the girls had been looking forward to the holiday.

“These children were just preparing for the joys of Eid,” he told MEE. “What is their sin for them to be killed?

“One of the girls was three years old. What was her sin?”

Qadi echoed Qahwaji’s feelings, saying that people in Gaza are longing for the traditional joys that come with the end of Ramadan.

“The entire world is preparing for celebrations and joy, except us. The people of Palestine, and the people of Gaza in particular, we are welcoming Eid with shrouds to wrap around our children,” he said. “Instead of having them wear new Eid clothes like children around the world, we are wrapping them in white shrouds. Until when?”

The victims were laid to rest as their loved ones wept and prayed around them.

middleeasteye.net