Eid-ul-Azha Observed Across Middle East Amid War, Destruction and Regional Tensions

Palestinians offered Eid prayers amid the ruins of war-torn Gaza as many families marked Eid-ul-Azha without the ability to perform animal sacrifices and struggled with severe shortages of food and medicine. In Jerusalem, thousands of worshippers gathered at the Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy security restrictions to take part in Eid congregations.

At the same time, renewed clashes between Hezbollah and Israel have intensified fear and anxiety in southern and eastern Lebanon. Despite deadly attacks on Tuesday that killed dozens of people, including children, many residents still attended Eid prayers at local mosques.

Amid rising military tensions involving Iran and growing fears of instability across the region, Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, and other Middle Eastern countries observed Eid-ul-Azha with religious devotion and solemnity.

According to Saudi news outlet Arab News, the main Eid congregations in Makkah and Madinah drew millions of worshippers. Large crowds gathered from early morning at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to offer Eid prayers. Pilgrims performing Hajj also participated in the Eid-ul-Azha rituals.

Several Gulf countries declared public holidays for the festival, with Muslims celebrating Eid through animal sacrifice, charity, and family gatherings.

In Iran, Eid-ul-Azha was also observed amid the scars of war and continued military tensions with the United States. Millions of Iranian worshippers attended Eid prayers across the country, including special congregations held in the capital Tehran and other major cities.

However, the atmosphere in Palestine remained deeply affected by the ongoing conflict. International media reports said many Palestinians were struggling even to secure daily necessities, let alone purchase sacrificial animals for Eid.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, hundreds of people have been killed or injured in Israeli attacks despite announcements of ceasefire efforts.

Meanwhile, only a limited number of worshippers were allowed to offer Eid prayers at the historic Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron in the occupied West Bank under strict security restrictions.

According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli forces conducted searches at the mosque gates and fired sound bombs, creating panic among worshippers. Hebron Governor Khaled Dudin described the incident as an act of “religious terrorism.”

Lebanon also observed Eid amid continuing conflict. On Tuesday, the day before Eid, at least 31 people, including children, were reportedly killed in Israeli strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon.

Despite the violence, Eid congregations were held in mosques across the country. Since the conflict escalated, more than 3,000 people have reportedly been killed in Lebanon, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced.

Local media reported that many families spent Eid away from their homes after being displaced by the ongoing war.