Gazans’ celebrations began as truce takes hold

Islam News – Unable last week to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the joyous Muslim feast marking the end of the Ramadan fasting month, many Gazans took to the street at 2 a.m. on Friday to extol the start of a Hamas truce with Israel that ended 11 days of hostilities.

“God is greatest and thanks to God,” they shouted in Arabic.

Hamas, the Islamist militant group that rules Gaza, cast the fighting as successful resistance of a militarily and economically stronger foe.

Mosque loudspeakers hailed what they called “the victory the resistance achieved over the occupation during the battle of the Sword of Jerusalem.” Men fired rifles into the air, and others set off noise bombs or firecrackers.

In Tel Al-Hawa in Gaza City people said they were celebrating their safety, and what they viewed as their victory. Some hugged, one calling it a “time out from the coronavirus.”

“With souls and blood, we redeem you, Deif,” they chanted, calling out the name of Hamas’s top military commander Deif, who tops Israel’s wanted list.

“This is a great victory over the occupation. Our resistance men forced them to the ceasefire,” said Ahmed Amer, 30, as he celebrated with his friends.

“Today is when Eid al-Fitr begins. Yes, we are sorry and sad for our people who lost their houses and their relatives, but despite that, we will celebrate,” Amer said.

In the Israeli-occupied city of Ramallah, hundreds of people took to the streets chanting: “With souls and blood we redeem you, Gaza.”

Fireworks were set off in Sheikh Jarrah, the East Jerusalem neighbourhood where a long-running legal battle by Palestinian families to stop their forced eviction by Israeli settlers was a key factor in mobilising protesters across the Old City and farther afield during Ramadan.

Source : Reuters