Gaza Palestinians Face 3rd Eid Without Hajj or Sacrifices as Sheep Prices Hit 17,000 Shekels
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 27
Gaza Palestinians Face 3rd Eid Without Hajj or Sacrifices as Sheep Prices Hit 17,000 Shekels
8 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 27
A third consecutive Eid al-Adha in Gaza will pass without Hajj departures and with few animal sacrifices, as many Palestinians remain displaced and unable to leave the enclave.
More than 90% of livestock farms have been destroyed or damaged since the war began in October 2023, and Israel has blocked live-animal imports, sharply reducing supply.
Prices have surged beyond most families’ reach: a sheep that once cost 400-500 Jordanian dinars, or about 2,000 shekels, now sells for 16,000-17,000 shekels for a weak 50-kilogram animal.
The shortages have stripped away other Eid customs too, with many families unable to buy new clothes, prepare festive meals or even secure basic vegetables while standing in aid lines.
For residents who lost relatives, homes and years of normal life, the missed rituals have become another marker of siege and war, with many now hoping only that next Eid arrives without fighting.
With a single sheep now costing $4,700, what does this reveal about the complete collapse of Gaza's economy and society?
As international courts issue rulings and warrants, why have their actions failed to de-escalate the devastating war in Gaza?
2026 Eid al-Adha in Gaza: Tradition Lost as Blockade and War Trigger Third Year of Hardship
Overview
In 2026, Eid al-Adha in Gaza is marked by deep hardship, as ongoing war and strict border restrictions have caused severe food insecurity and made traditional rituals nearly impossible. Livestock numbers have dropped to just 10 percent of pre-war levels, and soaring feed costs have pushed prices far beyond what most families can afford. As a result, the central act of animal sacrifice is out of reach for nearly everyone, eroding both economic stability and social traditions. The holiday, once filled with joy and communal celebration, now highlights the profound struggles and loss faced by Gazans.