For Muslims In Gaza, End Of Ramadan Marred By Fighting

NPR NEWS
By Emily Harris

Members of a Palestinian family break their fast with the iftar meal during the holy month of Ramadan.

ISRAEL--The Muslim holiday, which began Monday, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. This year, it also marks three weeks since the current war in Gaza started. Eid al-Fitr is a religious holiday and a family celebration. Relatives offer each other gifts of cash and chocolate. Kids look forward to special cookies and new clothes. But on the first day of what is traditionally a three-day holiday, Israeli jets continued their offensive in Gaza, and Hamas militants continued to launch rockets into Israel — despite a call by the United Nations for both Israel and Hamas to implement a humanitarian cease-fire for "the Eid period and beyond." [link]