Eid al-Adha was observed in Gaza on May 27, 2026, under deep sorrow and uncertainty. Despite prayers being held, there were no animal sacrifices, new clothes for children, or festive joy. Residents described the day as a symbol of pain amid war, hunger, and destruction. Many displaced families, like Nadia Abu Shamala’s in Deir al-Balah, said they could not afford even basic needs due to skyrocketing prices and ongoing conflict.

Although a ceasefire brokered by the United States began in October 2025, Israeli airstrikes continue, leaving 80 percent of Gaza’s buildings damaged and most residents dependent on aid. Israel controls all entry points, and NGOs report that limited truck access has failed to ease shortages or inflation. Locals called the ceasefire “a big lie” but still tried to create small moments of joy for children.

The Food and Agriculture Organization reported that Gaza now has only a quarter of its pre-war sheep population, about 15,000 animals. Prices for sacrificial livestock have surged from around 1,000 shekels to as high as 15,000. With gas shortages and destroyed homes, many families struggled even to bake traditional sweets, marking a bleak Eid across the enclave.