-GAZA STRIP, PALESTINE - MAY 30, 2025: Gazans are approaching a somber Eid al-Adha due to the strict Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip since March 2. The blockade has severely restricted the entry of livestock, cattle, and essential supplies needed for both sustenance and celebration. As a result, livestock markets are nearly barren, offering only a limited number of undernourished animals for the holiday sacrifices. On top of the scarcity, Gaza's crippled economy has made it nearly impossible for many families to afford sacrificial animals, deepening the sense of deprivation. "The livestock are wasting away and have no meat due to the closure of crossings and the lack of access to feed," Omar Azmi Kaddeh, an animal farm owner, said. Eid al-Adha, a time traditionally marked by communal joy, spiritual reflection, and acts of giving, now feels subdued in Gaza due to the prolonged blockade on the enclave. "In past years, when Eid al-Adha approached, everyone was happy. Families would gather, head to the farms, choose their sacrificial animals, and the children — both young and old — would rejoice. At that time, the entire Gaza Strip was filled with joy," Bader Tabash, another farm owner, said. Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is the second-most-important Islamic holiday celebrated in honor of the scriptural story of the Prophet Abraham sacrificing a ram at God's command. Today it is observed through the slaughtering of livestock, with the meat shared among family, friends, and the less fortunate. Since March 2, Israel has kept all border crossings shut, cutting off the entry of food, medicine, fuel, and other essential supplies for Gaza’s 2.4 million residents. Israel has pursued a devastating offensive in Gaza since October 2023, killing over 54,300 Palestinians, most of them women and children. Aid agencies have warned about the risk of famine among the enclave's more than 2 million population. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war crimes against civilians in the enclave.