This year's Eid al-Adha in Gaza was marked by tragedy as Israeli airstrikes continued to claim innocent lives, exposing the falsehood of the alleged ceasefire. While Muslims around the world celebrated, Palestinian families suffered immense loss and destruction. The images emerging from Gaza during Eid al-Adha were not mere isolated incidents; they reflected the harsh reality that Palestinians endure daily.
One poignant image showed a mother named Hidaya taking her daughters shopping for Eid clothes. The girls entered the store while their mother remained outside. Moments later, an Israeli airstrike targeted the location, and when the girls rushed out, they found their mother lying on the ground, drenched in her own blood. In another scene, a man carried the lifeless body of a small girl from the rubble, her body mangled and bloodied, as he cried out: "This is the first day of Eid!"
Details of the Incident
These scenes were not exceptional, as reports indicated that over 26 Palestinians, mostly women and children, were killed during the first days of Eid al-Adha alone. On the first day of Eid, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including four girls, a boy, and three women. For the victims, the debate over whether a ceasefire exists is meaningless; they lost their lives regardless.
Facts reveal that Palestinians largely adhered to the ceasefire, while Israel did not. Nevertheless, Western governments and media continue to speak as if the ceasefire is in effect. The new definition of a ceasefire appears to be that Israel can continue its airstrikes and kill civilians, while any gunfire from Gaza is considered a violation.
Background & Context
Since the announcement of the ceasefire in October 2023, the United Nations reported that Israeli forces have killed approximately 1000 Palestinians, raising the total death toll since then to around 73,000, with thousands missing and presumed buried under rubble. The reality on the ground starkly contrasts with what is presented at diplomatic conferences.
While diplomats speak of peace, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boasts of increasing Israeli control over Gaza, recently announcing that Israeli forces control about 60% of the territory, with a goal to raise this figure to 70%. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yair Lapid continues to promote what he calls the "voluntary migration" of Palestinians from Gaza.
Impact & Consequences
These events demonstrate that the absence of consequences leads to escalated aggression. After three years without Israel facing any real costs for its actions, it has become more aggressive and dismissive of international law. This is why Gaza remains the central issue. What happens in Gaza does not stay in Gaza; it extends to other regions where the same patterns repeat.
In Lebanon, for instance, entire cities have been destroyed, and journalists and medical facilities have been targeted. In Gaza, over 1700 medical workers have been killed, representing about 80 deaths per 100,000 people. In comparison, estimates from Ukraine indicate that between 280 and 450 healthcare workers were killed during the war there, which amounts to less than one death per 100,000 people.
Regional Significance
These events underscore that a world that tolerates attacks on hospitals and medical personnel in Gaza should not be surprised when such practices spread to other regions. Moreover, Israeli ambitions do not stop at Gaza or Lebanon or even Iran; they extend beyond, raising concerns across the entire region.
Ultimately, Gaza remains not just a humanitarian disaster but a place where all boundaries have been removed. The lessons learned from Gaza should serve as a warning to the entire world about the potential consequences of ongoing neglect.