Another Eid amid death and destruction in Gaza
Published: 03:03 PM,Mar 25,2025 | EDITED : 07:03 PM,Mar 25,2025
As the holy month of Ramadhan comes to a close, the situation in Gaza remains catastrophic, leaving no room for celebration as Eid Al Fitr approaches. The population of Gaza is on the brink of famine and starvation, and they will spend Eid without any food at all.
Eid Al Fitr is a time of celebration for Muslims following a month of fasting, during which families and friends gather to share large meals. It is also customary for children to receive money or gifts from their elders.
Sadly, this year's Eid, which is typically a time of joy, will instead be marked by mourning and trauma for many families in the Gaza Strip, as they struggle to secure basic necessities. The sounds of children playing in the streets have been replaced by the cries of those trapped beneath the rubble.
Reports indicate that nearly 500 individuals, including children, women and the elderly, have been killed since the attacks began on March 18. Many others have sustained injuries, and more individuals remain trapped under the rubble. At the same time, reports quoting the Palestinian Ministry of Health indicate that at least 50,021 Palestinians have been confirmed dead and 113,274 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza. The Gaza Government Media Office has updated its death toll to more than 61,700, stating that thousands of Palestinians missing under the rubble are presumed dead.
Most of Gaza's 2.1 million residents have been displaced, many multiple times. An estimated 70 per cent of buildings have been damaged or destroyed, while healthcare, water and sanitation systems have collapsed. Additionally, there are significant shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter.
Reacting to the attack, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stated, “Israel’s continued use of military force will only exacerbate the suffering of a Palestinian population already enduring catastrophic conditions.”
The International Criminal Court has described the situation unfolding in the Gaza Strip on January 26, 2024, as a plausible case of genocide, with gruesome consequences.
According to a report issued by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel on March 13, 2025, Israel has committed a wide range of violations against Palestinian women, men, girls, and boys throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory since October 7, 2023.
These factors represent a significant aspect of the mistreatment of Palestinians and are integral to the unlawful occupation and persecution of Palestinians as a collective group. “The evidence gathered by the Commission indicates a troubling rise in gender-based violence,” stated Navi Pillay, Chair of the Commission.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory has concluded that, since October 7, 2023, Israel has committed at least three acts constitutive of genocide in Gaza.
Amnesty International's research conducted last year found sufficient evidence to conclude that Israel has committed, and continues to commit, acts of genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip. The organisation stated that Israel has engaged in actions prohibited under the Genocide Convention, with the specific intent to destroy the Palestinian population in Gaza.
No doubt, Gaza is being devastated before the eyes of the world. This is evident from the statement made by Islamic Relief Worldwide, which declared that “the latest Israeli atrocities across Gaza must be the final red line for governments to immediately halt all arms sales to Israel.”
The world stands with Joyce Msuya, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, in demanding that atrocities in Gaza must end. However, this cannot be achieved through words alone; it requires urgent and unequivocal action.
Eid Al Fitr is a time of celebration for Muslims following a month of fasting, during which families and friends gather to share large meals. It is also customary for children to receive money or gifts from their elders.
Sadly, this year's Eid, which is typically a time of joy, will instead be marked by mourning and trauma for many families in the Gaza Strip, as they struggle to secure basic necessities. The sounds of children playing in the streets have been replaced by the cries of those trapped beneath the rubble.
Reports indicate that nearly 500 individuals, including children, women and the elderly, have been killed since the attacks began on March 18. Many others have sustained injuries, and more individuals remain trapped under the rubble. At the same time, reports quoting the Palestinian Ministry of Health indicate that at least 50,021 Palestinians have been confirmed dead and 113,274 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza. The Gaza Government Media Office has updated its death toll to more than 61,700, stating that thousands of Palestinians missing under the rubble are presumed dead.
Most of Gaza's 2.1 million residents have been displaced, many multiple times. An estimated 70 per cent of buildings have been damaged or destroyed, while healthcare, water and sanitation systems have collapsed. Additionally, there are significant shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter.
Reacting to the attack, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stated, “Israel’s continued use of military force will only exacerbate the suffering of a Palestinian population already enduring catastrophic conditions.”
The International Criminal Court has described the situation unfolding in the Gaza Strip on January 26, 2024, as a plausible case of genocide, with gruesome consequences.
According to a report issued by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel on March 13, 2025, Israel has committed a wide range of violations against Palestinian women, men, girls, and boys throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory since October 7, 2023.
These factors represent a significant aspect of the mistreatment of Palestinians and are integral to the unlawful occupation and persecution of Palestinians as a collective group. “The evidence gathered by the Commission indicates a troubling rise in gender-based violence,” stated Navi Pillay, Chair of the Commission.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory has concluded that, since October 7, 2023, Israel has committed at least three acts constitutive of genocide in Gaza.
Amnesty International's research conducted last year found sufficient evidence to conclude that Israel has committed, and continues to commit, acts of genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip. The organisation stated that Israel has engaged in actions prohibited under the Genocide Convention, with the specific intent to destroy the Palestinian population in Gaza.
No doubt, Gaza is being devastated before the eyes of the world. This is evident from the statement made by Islamic Relief Worldwide, which declared that “the latest Israeli atrocities across Gaza must be the final red line for governments to immediately halt all arms sales to Israel.”
The world stands with Joyce Msuya, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, in demanding that atrocities in Gaza must end. However, this cannot be achieved through words alone; it requires urgent and unequivocal action.