Before the war, Salwa Tibi used to prepare breakfast for the young children in her family, visit relatives and decorate her house in Gaza City, in northern Gaza, with balloons and lights to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
But this year, Israel’s military campaign has crushed hopes of marking the festival – when Muslims gather to mark the end of Ramadan and show gratitude to Allah. Instead, the Palestinian aid worker, in her 50s, told CNN she will struggle to find enough food, clothes and shoes for her younger relatives.
“I’m very sad about not celebrating Eid,” said Tibi. “We used to be busy all day eating Eid cakes, drinking fresh juice with nice chocolate, going to the sea and restaurants, and playing games with the children… These beautiful memories hurt me because it has become impossible to retrieve them.”
She is staying in a rented house with at least 20 relatives including eight children and babies in Rafah, in southern Gaza, where most Palestinians have been forced to flee bombardment. Market supplies are scant and food prices have increased drastically, as Israel’s siege has diminished supplies. These days, Tibi says she can only afford canned beans and hummus.
“I go to the market to buy some meat, but it is very expensive. There is not enough good food, no safety, no security, a lot of chaos and crowding,” added Tibi. “Now, we only hope to survive and to be safe.”
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