Dozens of Palestinians have gathered near the ruins of a mosque destroyed by Israeli airstrikes to perform Eid al Adha prayers.

They were surrounded by the debris and rubble of collapsed houses at the former site of the al Rahma mosque in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza to mark the start of the major holiday.

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Commonly translated as the Feast of Sacrifice, Eid al Adha is the second of the two main Islamic holidays – alongside Eid al Fitr – when better-off Muslims commemorate Ibrahim’s test of faith by slaughtering livestock and animals and distributing some of the meat to the poor.

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Palestinians hold prayers by the ruins of the al Rahma mosque.
Pic: Reuters

“Today, after the ninth month, more than 37,000 martyrs, more than 87,000 wounded, and hundreds of thousands of homes were destroyed,” said Abdulhalim Abu Samra, a displaced Palestinian, after prayers in Khan Younis. “Our people live in difficult circumstances.”

In the nearby town of Deir al Balah in central Gaza, Muslims held their prayers in a school-turned-shelter, while some, including women and children, went to cemeteries to visit the graves of loved ones.

Muslim worshipers gather for Eid al-Adha prayers next to the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, Sunday, June 16, 2024. Muslims celebrate the holiday to mark the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham to Christians and Jews) to sacrifice his son. During the holiday, they slaughter sheep or cattle, distribute part of the meat to the poor and eat the rest. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
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The Dome of the Rock shrine at the al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City. Pic: AP

Palestinians also gathered at the al Aqsa compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, in Jerusalem’s Old City, the site of the Dome of the Rock shrine.

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It comes against a the backdrop of the devastating Israel-Hamas war which has pushed the Middle East to the brink of a regional conflict.

The Israeli military has announced a “tactical pause” in its offensive in southern Gaza to allow the deliveries of more humanitarian aid.

Muslims hold Eid al-Adha prayers in Nairobi. Pic: Reuters
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Muslims hold Eid al Adha prayers in Nairobi. Pic: Reuters

Muslim children play during celebrations marking the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha after attending prayers at the Sir Ali Muslim Club Ground in Nairobi, Kenya, June 16, 2024. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi
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Muslim children play in Nairobi, Kenya. Pic: Reuters.

The suspension, which begins as Muslims started marking the major holiday, came after discussions with the United Nations and international aid agencies, the military said.

People attempt to catch balloons released after an Eid al-Adha prayer at a public park, outside El-Seddik Mosque in Cairo, Egypt. Pic: Reuters
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People attempt to catch balloons released after an Eid al-Adha prayer at a public park, outside El-Seddik Mosque in Cairo, Egypt. Pic: Reuters


Eid al-Adha prayers at the Moskovsky central avenue during celebrations in St. Petersburg, Russia. Pic: AP
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Moskovsky central avenue during celebrations in St Petersburg, Russia. Pic: AP

Eid al-Adha prayers outside Al-Amin mosque in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. Pic: Reuters
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The al Amin mosque in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. Pic: Reuters

Most countries marked Eid al Adha on Sunday, while others, like Indonesia, will celebrate it on Monday.

Cities including Beirut, in Lebanon, Mosul in Iraq and Istanbul, in Turkey crowded with worshippers.

A drone view shows Sunni worshippers attending Eid-al-Adha prayer marking in Mosul. Pic: Reuters
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Worshippers in Mosul. Pic: Reuters

In Egypt, balloons were released after prayer at a public park, outside El-Seddik Mosque in Cairo.

Muslims in Russia offered prayers at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque and gathered in Moskovsky central avenue during celebrations in St Petersburg.