Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank mark Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, the second major Muslim festival after Eid al-Fitr, is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice.
Muslims believe the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) was tested by God who commanded him to sacrifice his first-born son, Ismail (Ishmail). Ibrahim was prepared to submit to the command, but God stayed his hand. Instead, he was told to sacrifice an animal, likely a lamb or sheep.
The Torah and the Old Testament both recount a similar version of this story.
The event also marks the end of Hajj, a five-day pilgrimage all able-bodied and financially capable Muslims are obliged to undertake once in their lifetime.
Palestinian men and boys perform Eid al-Adha prayers in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip
Fatal Israeli strike on Khan Younis
A source at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis tells our team on the ground that two people were killed when an Israeli drone attacked a tent housing displaced people. An unspecified number of people were also wounded in the attack, the source said.
Wounded Palestinians observe Eid al-Adha far from home in Doha
Hundreds of wounded Palestinians and their displaced families are observing Eid al-Adha far from home in Qatar’s capital, Doha. A video shared on Instagram by Palestinian photographer Bilal Khaled shows dozens of children joining crowds of worshippers at the al-Thumama Complex in Doha.
Originally built for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the complex is now emergency housing for Palestinians who have been evacuated from Gaza, including hundreds of wounded.
This year, Eid al-Adha falls for the second year in a row amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Palestinians offer Eid prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in shadow of Israeli guns
Tens of thousands of Palestinians offered Eid al-Adha prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem this morning, despite tight Israeli restrictions and a sombre atmosphere driven by the ongoing war on Gaza.
According to local estimates, approximately 80,000 Palestinians gathered at Islam’s third-holiest site, entering and exiting while chanting the traditional Eid Takbirat.
Israeli police forces were heavily deployed in and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the Old City before, during and after the prayers.
However, many Palestinians from the occupied West Bank were unable to attend the Eid prayers in Jerusalem due to Israeli restrictions on movement. Many Palestinians barred from entering the mosque by Israeli orders were spotted praying outside its gates.
