'Eid of sadness': Palestinians in Gaza mark Muslim holiday with dwindling food and no end to war

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinians in Gaza marked the normally festive Eid al-Fitr on Sunday with rapidly dwindling food supplies and mourning for several children killed in Israel's latest airstrikes.

There was anger as the bodies of 14 emergency responders were recovered in the southern city of Rafah a week after an Israeli attack, which the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies called the “single most deadly attack on Red Cross Red Crescent workers anywhere in the world since 2017.”

Many Palestinians prayed outside demolished mosques to mark the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. It's supposed to be a joyous occasion when families feast and purchase new clothes for children, but most of Gaza's 2 million people are just trying to survive.

“It’s the Eid of sadness,” Adel al-Shaer said after attending prayers amid rubble in the central town of Deir al-Balah. “We lost our loved ones, our children, our lives and our futures.”

Twenty members of his extended family have been killed by Israeli strikes, including four young nephews a few days ago, he said and began to cry.

Israel ended the ceasefire with Hamas and resumed the 17-month war earlier this month with a surprise bombardment that killed hundreds, after the militant group refused to accept changes to the truce reached in January. Israel has not allowed food, fuel or humanitarian aid to enter Gaza for a month.

“There is killing, displacement, hunger and a siege,” said Saed al-Kourd, a worshipper. “We go out to perform God’s rituals in order to make the children happy, but as for the joy of Eid? There is no Eid.”

Arab mediators are trying to get the truce back on track. Hamas said Saturday it had accepted a new proposal from Egypt and Qatar. Israel said it made a counter-proposal in coordination with the United States, which has also been mediating. Details were not immediately known.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said the bodies of eight of its emergency medical technicians, and five members of Gaza's Civil Defense, were recovered a week after they and their ambulances vanished in Rafah during heavy fire.

The PRCS said a ninth colleague was still missing, adding that the targeting of medics “cannot be seen as anything other than a war crime.”

Gaza's Health Ministry asserted that some of the bodies had been bound and shot in the chest, and it called on the United Nations and other international organizations to investigate and hold Israel accountable.

Israel’s military on Sunday said its troops had opened fire on vehicles “advancing suspiciously” without emergency signals or movement coordinated in advance. It asserted that nine “terrorists” had been killed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would continue military operations while negotiating. He rejected claims that Israel does not want to end the war, while laying out conditions that go far beyond the ceasefire agreement and have been rejected by Hamas.

“Hamas will disarm. Its leaders will be allowed out. We will look out for the general security in the Gaza Strip and allow for the realization of (President Donald) Trump’s plan,” Netanyahu told a Cabinet meeting.

Trump has proposed that Gaza's population be resettled in other countries so the U.S. can redevelop Gaza for others. Palestinians say they do not want to leave their homeland. Human rights experts say the plan would likely violate international law.

Israeli strikes on Sunday morning killed at least 16 people, including nine children and three women, according to Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis.

Two girls appeared to be wearing new clothes purchased for the holiday, according to an Associated Press cameraman, including spotless sneakers.

On Sunday evening, a strike hit a tent in Deir al-Balah and killed at least two people, according to an AP journalist at the hospital.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Hamas is still holding 59 captives — 24 believed to be alive.

Israel's offensive has killed over 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its tally. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence, and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it operates in densely populated areas.

Netanyahu’s security Cabinet approved the construction of a road for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Critics say it will open the door for Israel to annex a key area just outside Jerusalem, further undermining the feasibility of a future Palestinian state.

Netanyahu’s office said the project is meant to streamline travel for Palestinians in communities near the large Jewish settlement of Maaleh Adumim.

Peace Now, an Israeli anti-settlement watchdog group, said the road will divert Palestinian traffic outside of Maaleh Adumim and the surrounding area known as E1, a tract of open land deemed essential for the territorial contiguity of a future state.

That will make it easier for Israel to annex E1, according to Hagit Ofran, a settlement expert with the group, because Israel can claim there is no disruption to Palestinian movement.

Critics say Israeli settlements and other land grabs make a contiguous future state increasingly impossible. Several roads in the West Bank are meant for use by either Israelis or Palestinians, which international rights groups say is part of an apartheid system, allegations Israel rejects.

Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three for their future state. A two-state solution is widely seen as the only way to resolve the decades-old conflict.

Jahjouh reported from Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, and Goldenberg from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Fatma Khaled in Cairo and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.

Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - Relatives mourn 12-year-old Ahmad Abu Teir, who was killed in an Israeli army strike, before his funeral along with seven other Palestinians, including a father, mother, and their three children, on the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

A bracelet is wrapped around the hand of 10-year-old Dana Abu Sultan, who, along with her sister, brother, parents, uncle, and aunt, was killed when an Israeli army strike hit their tent, as their bodies lie on the floor at a hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, awaiting burial preparation on the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Mourners pray over the bodies of Jehad Abu Sultan, his wife Amal, their three children Dana, Hasan, and Habeba, along with other relatives and a neighbor, all killed during an Israeli army strike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - The bodies of 4-year-old Hasan Abu Sultan, left, and his sisters Dana,10, center, and Habeba, 7, right, lie on the floor at the hospital awaiting for burial preparation on the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid after they were killed along with their parents, uncle, and aunt when an Israeli army strike hit their tent in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians attend Eid al-Fitr holiday celebrations by the Dome of the Rock shrine in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Mahmoud Illean)

The bodies of 4-year-old Hasan Abu Sultan, left, and his sisters Dana,10, center, and Habeba, 7, right, lie on the floor at the hospital awaiting for burial preparation on the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid after they were killed along with their parents, uncle, and aunt when an Israeli army strike hit their tent in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Mourners pray by the bodies of Palestinians killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip as they are brought for burial Deir al-Balah, Gaza, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Relatives react next to the body of a Palestinian who was killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

A Palestinian girl is tossed into the air as people gather for Eid al-Fitr prayers by the Dome of the Rock shrine in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Relatives react next to the body of a Palestinian who was killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Mourners pray by the bodies of Palestinians killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip as they are brought for burial Deir al-Balah, Gaza, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Mourners carry the bodies of Palestinians killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip as they are brought for burial Deir al-Balah, Gaza, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Muslim worshippers gather for Eid al-Fitr prayer in the mixed Arab Jewish city of Jaffa, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Muslim worshippers gather for Eid al-Fitr prayer in the mixed Arab Jewish city of Jaffa, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Muslim worshippers gather for Eid al-Fitr prayer in the mixed Arab Jewish city of Jaffa, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Muslim worshippers gather for Eid al-Fitr prayer in the mixed Arab Jewish city of Jaffa, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Muslim worshippers gather for Eid al-Fitr prayer in the mixed Arab Jewish city of Jaffa, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Muslim worshippers offer Eid al-Fitr prayer in the mixed Arab Jewish city of Jaffa, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Palestinians attend Eid al-Fitr prayer in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians attend Eid al-Fitr prayer in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians attend Eid al-Fitr prayer in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians attend Eid al-Fitr prayer in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians attend Eid al-Fitr prayer in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip , Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Courage is based in love, Melania Trump said Tuesday as she recognized eight women from around the world for bravery, including an Israeli citizen who was held captive by Hamas for nearly two months after the militant group's deadly raid on her country in October 2023.

“These extraordinary women illuminate the transformative power of love in shaping our world,” the first lady said during a ceremony at the State Department, which created the International Women of Courage Award. “Their journeys remind us that true courage is born from a deep commitment to others, showing the love fuels the call for justice.”

The first lady defined courage as “a strength that is based in love,” and she sought parallels with the diverse group of honorees. She said that, in her own life, “I have harnessed the power of love as a source of strength during challenging times. Love has inspired me to embrace forgiveness, nurture empathy and exhibit bravery in the face of unforeseen obstacles.”

The first lady singled out recipient Georgiana Pascu, of Romania, as someone who exemplifies “love in action." Pascu advocates for the rights of institutionalized children and adults with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities, the State Department said.

“Georgiana is a ‘watchdog’ who defends the dignity of Romanians whose voices cannot be heard,” Trump said, telling the audience that Pascu “fearlessly enters” facilities designated as “care centers,” often dropping in unannounced, to rescue people with disabilities “who are unwittingly held captive.”

“Thanks to Georgiana's brave work, dozens of offenders have been charged with human trafficking, exploitation and even organized crime,” the first lady said.

Another honoree, Israeli lawyer Amit Soussana, who has publicly described being sexually assaulted during the 55 days that Hamas kept her in Gaza after the attack. On Tuesday, she delivered a passionate plea for freedom for the hostages still held, saying, “My friends remain in the dark” after more than 540 days, ”still suffering, still waiting, still hoping.”

“Every single day that passes is another day of unimaginable suffering,” she said. “With every passing moment, their pain deepens, their hopes fades and their chances of survival diminish. I call on the world to act, to bring them home now, not tomorrow, not next week. Now.”

The other award recipients are:

__Henriette Da, of Burkina Faso, a human rights advocate.

__Major Velena Iga, of Papua New Guinea, an advocate for combatting violence against women and human trafficking.

__Angelique Songco, of the Philippines, also known as “Mama Ranger," because she leads a small team of rangers protecting Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park from illegal fishing and poaching.

__Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit, of South Sunday, a women's rights leader.

__Namini Wijedasa, of Sri Lanka, an investigative journalist.

__Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj, of Yemen, who works to bring international attention to the plight of thousands of abducted and forcibly detained Yemenis.

A group award named for Madeleine Albright, the late former secretary of state, went to female student leaders who protested against violent repression in Bangladesh in July and August of 2024.

Now in its 19th year, the International Women of Courage Award recognizes women from around the world who have shown “exceptional courage, strength and leadership, often at great personal risk and sacrifice."

More than 200 women from over 90 countries have been recognized since the first awards in 2007.

Melania Trump arrives to speak during the International Women of Courage award ceremony, Tuesday April 1, 2025, held at the State Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, center, next to Angelique Songco, of the Philippines, left, who is also known as "Mama Ranger," at the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, and Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit, of South Sudan, a women's rights leader, attends the International Women of Courage award ceremony, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the State Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

First lady Melania Trump, left, is introduced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during the International Women of Courage award ceremony, Tuesday April 1, 2025, at the State Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

First lady Melania Trump speaks during the International Women of Courage award ceremony, Tuesday April 1, 2025, at the State Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

First lady Melania Trump speaks during the International Women of Courage award ceremony, Tuesday April 1, 2025, at the State Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)