[Note: partially no sound]

The Palestinians welcoming the all-important Eid al-Fitr are feeling much less jubilant this year, as the war in the Gaza Strip and harsh conditions in the West Bank have spoiled the festive atmosphere, with their activities to be limited to worship and visiting relatives.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is one of the most anticipated celebrations in the Islamic world. This year, Eid al Fitr 2024 is expected to be celebrated on Tuesday or Wednesday. The exact date is subject to the sighting of the moon of Shawwal, 1445, the 10th month of the Islamic Calendar.

However, the joy of preparing for the Eid al-Fitr this year has been absent from cities of the West Bank due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as an expression of support and solidarity for people in the Palestinian enclave.

"This is not Eid. We are not living in an Eid atmosphere. We are in a situation where all people, in one way or another, are mourning instead of celebrating Eid. That is why I have not seen preparations for Eid," said Anwar Khoury, a resident of Ramallah City.

"There are no preparations. There are no cakes or anything else, just coffee and dates. The atmosphere in all of Palestine is like this. We miss the atmosphere [in the past]. Only visiting relatives and exchanging greetings. There is no joy," said Nazih Abu Adi, a resident in Kafr Ni'ma town.

The pain that Gaza is experiencing in its various cities, towns and camps amid continuing clashes there has also been reflected on citizens throughout the West Bank, who are closely following the situations in the war-torn enclave.

"For the first time I have experienced an unnatural Eid atmosphere, war and destruction. What is happening in Gaza is part of us and we are keeping pace with the events, and we are in solidarity with our people in Gaza and we say to them that we will not rejoice while you are under bombardment," said Nasr Melh, a resident of Kafr Aqab neighborhood.

The holiday season used to witness vibrant purchasing and commercial activity in previous years, but this year it is almost absent as a result of the war in Gaza and the difficult economic conditions in the West Bank.

"Life was different last year. Now there is a state of war in Gaza, and the workers are currently not working, and the employees are receiving 70 percent of their salaries, which is not enough for food and drink, nor for electricity and water. The situation is difficult," said Tahseen Ibrahim, a merchant from the city of Al-Bireh.

"We are having a hard time because there is an economic recession due to the ongoing war in Gaza. Conditions are difficult, not like previous years," said Mazen Ladadwa, another local man.

Ladadwa mentioned the joy and happiness that usually appear on the faces of Palestinian people as they prepare for the Eid al-Fitr. But they are almost invisible this year due to the pain that Gazans are experiencing amid hopes that the war will end soon and life will return to normal.

SHOTLIST

Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, Palestine - Recent
1. Various of buildings, traffic, pedestrians;
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Anwar Khoury, resident, Ramallah City:
"This is not Eid. We are not living in an Eid atmosphere. We are in a situation where all people, in one way or another, are mourning instead of celebrating Eid. That is why I have not seen preparations for Eid.";
3. Pedestrians;
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Nazih Abu Adi, resident, Kafr Ni'ma Town (starting with shot 3):
"There are no preparations. There are no cakes or anything else, just coffee and dates. The atmosphere in all of Palestine is like this. We miss the atmosphere [in the past]. Only visiting relatives and exchanging greetings. There is no joy.";
5. Tent with words supporting Gaza;
6. Various of pictures showing those injured in Israeli attack on Gaza on street;
7. Various of traffic, pedestrians;
8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Nasr Melh, resident, Kafr Aqab neighborhood (partially overlaid with shot 9):
"For the first time I have experienced an unnatural Eid atmosphere, war and destruction. What is happening in Gaza is part of us and we are keeping pace with the events, and we are in solidarity with our people in Gaza and we say to them that we will not rejoice while you are under bombardment.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
9. National flag of Palestine;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
10. Various of stores, vendors;
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Tahseen Ibrahim, merchant from Al-Bireh City:
"Life was different last year. Now there is a state of war in Gaza, and the workers are currently not working, and the employees are receiving 70 percent of their salaries, which is not enough for food and drink, nor for electricity and water. The situation is difficult.";
12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mazen Ladadwa, resident:
"We are having a hard time because there is an economic recession due to the ongoing war in Gaza. Conditions are difficult, not like previous years.";
13. Cars on the street.

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