No new clothes, no trips and no large gatherings with relatives – this is the reality of Eid Al-Fitr, one of the most important Islamic celebrations of the year, for displaced people in Lebanon and Gaza living in fear and uncertainty amid Israeli military airstrikes and a growing humanitarian crisis.
Eid – which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan -- is usually marked by people praying and coming together, sharing food and sweets and wearing new clothes, but any celebrations this year will take place in the shadow of the US and Israel’s deepening war on Iran and the wider region, and amid rapidly deteriorating conditions.
In Lebanon, more than a million people have been displaced in little more than two weeks, with many now based in overcrowded shelters or even living in the streets, with none of the essentials they need and no idea as to when they will be able to return home.
A child from Lebanon told ActionAid in a voicenote message: “This year we will not buy new clothes for Eid, nor will we visit relatives, because we were displaced from our home due to the bombing around us. We will not go to play, we will not go to amusement parks, and we will not go out or do anything because of the war.
“War is extremely difficult and harsh especially for those under fire. We are not to blame for what adults do, nor are we to blame for wars.”
In Gaza, where most of the population is displaced, airstrikes and shootings by the Israeli military are taking place almost daily and people face widespread shortages and soaring prices in the market as the Israeli authorities continue to tightly control and heavily restrict what enters the territory.
Nour, a child from Gaza who lives in a tent in Mawasi Fishfresh, told ActionAid: “I feel that the Eid atmosphere isn't beautiful because this Eid isn't like any other. Clothes are expensive, and my father can't afford to buy them for Eid. They are very expensive in the market, and their prices are extremely high.”
Meanwhile in the West Bank, where people are experiencing an alarming rise in violence from both Israeli soldiers and settlers, the Al-Aqsa Mosque – one of the holiest sites in Islam – has been closed to Muslim worshippers for almost three weeks under so-called “security” pretexts, with reports that the closure will continue throughout Eid Al-Fitr and beyond.
Riham Jafari, advocacy and communications coordinator at ActionAid Palestine, said: “It’s appalling that, for 19 consecutive days now, the Israeli authorities have denied worshippers their right to pray in one of Islam’s holiest sites, at what is one of the holiest times of the year. This is not about security: it is about control, restriction, and the systematic denial of the right to worship, and represents an attack on faith, identity, and basic human rights. Even access to surrounding areas of the mosque is being blocked yet, despite this repression, worshippers have continued to pray at the gates for the ninth night in a row in a powerful act of resilience and faith.
“What is happening in Jerusalem is a clear violation of a fundamental right that demands urgent international attention and accountability – but this is not an isolated incident: it’s part of an escalating repression that is impacting every Palestinian living under the illegal occupation.”
ActionAid is calling for urgent diplomatic action to halt the violence ripping through the Middle East region and destabilizing millions of lives, and for sustained humanitarian support for all those affected. The crisis that is currently unfolding is a direct consequence of allowing repeated violations of international law to occur with impunity for years: it’s time for this to end now and for governments around the world to demand full accountability for all violations that have occurred.
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Voicenotes from children in Lebanon and Gaza reflecting on Eid are available on request and spokespeople are also available: contact the press office at uk.media@actionaid.org or on +44 7753 973 486
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