Gazans welcome Eid al-Fitr
Palestinians in Gaza celebrated Eid al-Fitr as they visited mosques to perform the Eid prayer, gathered with family and enjoyed traditional holidays’ fare and exchange Eid al-Fitr wishes.
People breathed a sigh of relief as they were able to enjoy Eid peacefully and in relaxation after tensions soared between Israelis and Palestinians and panic of another war on the Strip escalated. People are just hoping for a calm holiday, and in the air there is a sense of need to keep the current athmosphere.
In the last days of the holy month of Ramadan, markets were crowded with people preparing for the Eid al-Fitr celebration. People buy children’s clothes, traditional sweets, and decorate their homes to enjoy the atmosphere with relatives and friends.
Despite the manifestations of joy, family visits and special food during Eid in Gaza, difficult economic and social conditions prevail because of the devastating 15-year land, sea and air blockade imposed by Israel.
GazaPress toured Gaza’s markets, streets, and homes to report on people’s preparations for Eid al-Fitr.
Shadi Khader, 37, who is from Gaza and supports four children, sells fesikh - a traditional salted fish - in the al-Zawiya market east of Gaza. Shadi says there is great demand from citizens to buy fesikh, as it is considered the favourite dish of Gazans on the morning of the first day of Eid al-Fitr
Mohammad Beltagy, 42, who is from Gaza and supports six children, sells kaak - date paste-filled cookies served traditionally in Eid - in the al-Zawiya market in the east of Gaza.
Nader Al-Aidi, 33, a resident of Rafah, south of Gaza, supports three children. He sells pickles with his younger brother. He inherited this job from his father and it is his only source of income for his family. During the month of Ramadan, there is strong demand for pickles
Ziyad Al-Hosari, 28, from Gaza, supports two children and works in a shop selling fresh fruit, dried fruit and dates in al-Zawiya market
A scene from the Hijazi factory for smoked and salted fish in the city of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Renga and fesikh are among the main dishes served in the first days of Eid
