GAZA CITY, January 16 (IslamOnline.net) – “It is true that `Eid Al-Adha will find us in heartbreaking, tough conditions but we must seize this religious festival to defeat the grief,” Umm Nedal, a Palestinian mother, said pushing back her tears.

“`Eid is a time to rejoice and we should not let it fly no matter what,” she added.

Many Gazans, suffering under the yoke of Israeli closures, killings and house demolitions, are welcoming this `Eid with a new spirit.

They reckon that the election of Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) as new president and the talked-about Israeli withdrawal from the Strip would herald a new phase of better living conditions and vitaminize their sluggish economy.

“This year, `Eid Al-Adha is different from previous years. We elected Abu Mazen who would hopefully bring us stability and security,” said an enthusiastic Umm Ahmed.

“I will bake cookies and distribute them among relatives and neighbors,” she added with a smile on her face.

Other Gazans shared similar hopes.

“We pray that this `Eid would be the beginning of more happier days. We are confident that Abu Mazen would leave no stone unturned to solve our problems. We are very optimistic,” said Abu Saed Felfel.

On January 10, Abu Mazen took the constitution oath as the new Palestinian president.

Although Sharon gave Sunday, January 16, his forces a free hand to carry out unlimited operations in the Strip, many Gazans are yearning for the day occupation forces leave Gaza.

“We are hoping the (proposed) Israeli withdrawal would bring us bright days,” said Rima al-Sayyed.

Sharon’s “disengagement” plan centers on dismantling all Jewish settlements in Gaza Strip and the evacuation of all 8,000 Jewish settlers from the impoverished Strip, home to 1.3 million Palestinians by next September.

It also stipulates dismantling three main settlements in the northern West Bank.

Umm Mahmoud, another Gaza resident, also had her dreams about the envisaged withdrawal.

“We are hopeful the occupation forces will pull out soon from Gaza to allow us live in happiness and peace.”

She held the occupation to blame for the problems of the Palestinian people.

“I would not be able to visit my family in Rafah this year due to the Israeli roadblocks and checkpoints.

“The Gaza Strip is divided into more three parts. It is humiliation,” said the Palestinian mother.

Israel had sealed off Gaza, suspending the movement of Palestinians and goods in and out of the occupied territory, following an attack on a crossing point Thursday that left six Israelis and three Palestinians dead.

Claiming responsibility for the attack, three Palestinian resistance factions said it came in retaliation for “Israel’s non-stop policy of aggressions and assassinations.”

The Washington Post reported on Monday, November 29, that beatings, shootings, harassment, humiliation in front of children and wives and life-threatening delays are but a few examples of the appalling conditions at the sandbagged Israeli checkpoints.

Many Palestinians stranded at the Rafah crossing, the main gate for the Strip from neighboring Egypt, would not be able to spend the `Eid with their loved ones.

“We don't feel the `Eid joy with my father prevented by the Israelis from crossing the Rafah crossing point for three weeks. He was coming from Saudi Arabia to spend the `Eid with us,” said Ahmed Ashour.

Most of the markets in the impoverished Strip seem deserted with shops empty of any commodity to sell.

“Markets are empty. Goods are being held by the Israeli soldiers at the crossing points,” said a young Palestinian woman.