The festive atmosphere for Eid al-Fitr is absent in Gaza, where thousands of displaced Palestinians are suffering from hunger, poverty, and other hardship amid the war and Israel's block of aid supplies.
According to the Islamic calendar, Muslims worldwide are expected to celebrate the first day of Eid al-Fitr on Sunday or Monday, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon.
But in Gaza City, the usual joy of Eid al-Fitr has been replaced by sorrow and hardship and in displacement camps, families are living in tattered tents surrounded by waste.
Ibtisam Subh, a displaced Palestinian, said the surging prices caused by Israel's aid blockade have made celebrating Eid an unattainable luxury.
"This Eid is nothing like the previous ones. There is no joy as we struggle to provide for our children. Aid is no longer reaching us, and we are left to survive on the bare ground, with no one paying attention to our suffering," she said.
Amna Subh, an elderly that was forced to flee once again after her home was destroyed, said she now lives in dire conditions with her orphaned grandchildren and grief and hunger dominate their lives.
"We are not happy about celebrating Eid. Poverty and hunger are burning our hearts. We cannot even afford new clothes for our children. Half of our loved ones are imprisoned, and the other half have been killed. How can we celebrate?" she said.
Amid the suffering, a group of Palestinian artists launched an initiative to paint murals to showcase joy and hope and to bring happiness to children in Gaza City.
"We painted murals to send a message to children and our community that hope still exists. Through colors and artistic expression, we try to bring joy and positivity to children, seniors, and all the residents, despite the hardship," said Nesma Abu Hasira, a visual artist.
The World Food Programme has warned that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are once again at risk of acute hunger and malnutrition and food supplies have run out as Israel continues to block the entry of aid into the territory.
Israel's aid blockade on all crossings since March 2 has been driving soaring prices, critically low medical supplies, and fuel shortages across Gaza, according to earlier report by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Eid al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is an important Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.
Palestinians suffer hunger during Eid al-Fitr due to Israel's aid blockade
