Muslims worldwide are marking Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, which honors the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, who ultimately provided a sheep as a substitute.

Traditionally, the festival, which follows the annual Hajj pilgrimage, involves the slaughter of sheep, with a portion of the meat distributed to those in need.

This year's Eid al-Adha is taking place amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, intensifying tensions in the Middle East and threatening regional stability.

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians have been unable to celebrate Eid al-Adha as they had in previous years. In Khan Younis, a southern city, dozens gathered near the ruins of a mosque on Sunday morning to perform Eid prayers amidst debris and the rubble of collapsed buildings.

In central Gaza’s Deir el-Balah, prayers were held in a school that has been converted into a shelter. Some Palestinians, including women and children, visited cemeteries to pay respects to their deceased loved ones.

Nine months into the Israeli offensive, more than 37,000 people have been killed and 87,000 wounded, while hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed.

Despite the ongoing aggression, Palestinians are striving to maintain a sense of hope. Efforts are being made to bring joy to children, many of whom are celebrating Eid without their parents.

The Government Media Office in Gaza announced on Saturday that Israel has been blocking the entry of sacrificial animals into the enclave, preventing Palestinians from performing the traditional sacrificial rituals of Eid al-Adha.

In occupied Jerusalem, around 40,000 Muslims gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque for Eid al-Adha prayers, significantly fewer than the estimated 100,000 who attended in 2023. On Sunday, Israeli forces reportedly assaulted worshippers entering the mosque and prevented others from reaching the holy site.