Israeli strikes kill Palestinians and Lebanese preparing to celebrate Eid al-Adha
As families went out shopping to prepare for the festival of Eid al-Adha in the streets of Gaza City on Tuesday night, they were met with Israeli bombs.
Air strikes targeted a residential building in al-Rimal neighbourhood, killing at least six and wounding 20 others, a source at al-Shifa hospital told Al Jazeera.
Footage posted online showed scenes of shock and horror as people frantically searched through the rubble for loved ones.
The Israeli army said the strike targeted and killed Mohammed Odeh, who had reportedly succeeded Izz al-Din al-Haddad as military commander of Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades. He was reportedly killed alongside his wife and their son.
The group has yet to confirm the reports.
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Footage of the destruction at the scene quickly spread across social media, with users reacting to the decision to strike during the important Islamic holiday, particularly amid a ceasefire that Palestinians say Israel has violated near-daily.
At least 906 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed since October 2025, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
A nurse from Gaza, Mohammed Hamad, shared footage of the aftermath on X, saying: “Scenes that make the heart cry before the eyes… Children went out to buy Eid clothes and sweets, only to return as wounded victims in hospitals. Girls search through the rubble for their fathers, only to find them dead without a final goodbye.”
One user criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the government’s lack of action over Israeli violations of the ceasefire, writing: “Israel is bombing Gaza on Eid. Your words are empty like your soul .@Keir_Starmer Israel is a terrorist state. You are complicit.”
Bisan Owda, the award-winning Palestinian journalist who has garnered international attention for her reporting during the genocide in Gaza, said she was at the scene shopping with friends when the attack occurred.
Users reacted to footage she shared of the aftermath, displaying the shock and fear of those caught in the attack.
On the same day, Israel unleashed a series of strikes across southern Lebanon, killing at least 31 people and wounding 40 others, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
At least 3,213 people have been killed and 9,737 wounded in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since 2 March.
Journalist Hala Jaber, reporting on the events, wrote: “There is nothing ‘limited’ or ‘defensive’ about these strikes. We are witnessing collective devastation unleashed by a depraved entity at full force & with full impunity.”
On Wednesday morning, Israel’s official X account shared a message wishing Muslims a happy Eid al-Adha, a significant holiday marking the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and commemorating the Quranic story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son before God replaced him with a ram. Muslims traditionally mark the occasion by sacrificing an animal and sharing the meat with relatives, neighbours and those in need.
Users reacted with fierce criticism, highlighting the attacks and Israel’s ongoing genocidal war in Gaza and war on Lebanon.
One user wrote: “You’re currently bombing Muslims in Gaza and south Lebanon, you killed both Palestinian and Lebanese children literally just today. You’ve been bombing them ON EID for the past 3 years continuously. Nobody believes you anymore.”
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