Residents in Gaza are entering Eid al-Adha for a third consecutive year under conditions defined by displacement, shortages and severe restrictions on movement, with traditional religious observances largely disrupted by the ongoing genocidal war on the territory. For many, the holiday has been stripped of its customary rituals, including pilgrimage and the sacrificial offerings central to the occasion.

In previous years, thousands of Palestinians from Gaza were able to travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. This year, however, most remain unable to leave due to tightly controlled crossings and highly restricted travel permissions, leaving many would-be pilgrims, particularly the elderly, unable to fulfil a religious obligation they had prepared for over many years.

Eid sacrifices have also been drastically curtailed. Local authorities report that livestock supplies have collapsed due to the destruction of agricultural infrastructure and import restrictions, alongside a sharp decline in purchasing power. Markets that once played a central role in Eid preparations are now largely depleted, with basic celebrations for many families replaced by food insecurity and displacement.

Across the enclave, humanitarian conditions remain dire, with widespread displacement and limited access to essential services. For many households, Eid is now observed in shelters or temporary tents, with traditional celebrations replaced by the daily struggle to secure food, water and safety.