Harvard at risk of losing nearly $9B in federal funding as US launches alleged antisemitism review

The US government has announced a review of federal contracts and grants at Harvard University as part of an effort to combat alleged antisemitism on college campuses.

The Departments of Education, Health and Human Services and the US General Services Administration said in a written statement on Monday that $255.6 million in contracts between Harvard, its affiliates and the federal government were being reviewed, along with $8.7 billion in multi-year grant commitments.

"Harvard's failure to protect students on campus from antisemitic discrimination – all while promoting divisive ideologies over free inquiry – has put its reputation in serious jeopardy," Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement.

The statement said the review is part of the Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, which previously launched a similar investigation into Columbia University.

Columbia recently yielded to Trump's pressure and agreed to policy changes to restore their federal funding.

"The Task Force will continue its efforts to root out anti-Semitism and refocus our institutions of higher learning," HHS Acting General Counsel Sean Keveney said in a statement.

It added that institutions found in violation of federal standards could face administrative actions, including contract termination.

"This administration has proven that we will take swift action to hold institutions accountable if they allow antisemitism to fester. We will not hesitate to act if Harvard fails to do so," said Task Force member Josh Gruenbaum.

Repression of pro-Palestine voices

Since returning to the White House, Trump has been targeting universities where pro-Palestine protests erupted last Spring to denounce Israel's carnage in besieged Gaza.

Starting with Columbia University, Trump on March 7 cancelled $400 million in federal grants to the university over pro-Palestine protests.

The university's response of yielding to his pressure is being eyed by other universities, including Harvard.

Harvard last week, in an attempt to distance themselves from pro-Palestine voices, dismissed faculty leaders at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies.

The university's action was to supposedly distance itself from antisemitism allegations and bias towards Palestine.

Crackdown on students

Aside from universities, the Trump administration is also targeting pro-Palestine students from protesting Israel's genocidal war against Palestinians.

On March 8, authorities arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent Palestinian activist and a student at Columbia University. Trump hailed his arrest and said it was the "first of many."

Trump, without evidence, accused Khalil of supporting Hamas. Khalil denies links to the resistance group.

A few days after Khalil's arrest, Trump's claim came due after another pro-Palestine student, Badar Khan Suri, an Indian researcher at Georgetown University, was arrested. His attorney said he was arrested because of the Palestinian identity of his wife.

After the arrest of Suri, authorities went after another pro-Palestine student, Momodou Taal, asking him to turn himself in.

On March 25, Yunseo Chung, a pro-Palestine Columbia University student, sued the Trump administration to halt her deportation, saying authorities paid multiple visits to her residence to arrest her over her protests against Israel's genocide in Gaza.

Also, on March 25, Rumeysa Ozturk, a PhD student at Tufts University, was kidnapped in broad daylight by US authorities because of her criticism of Israel.

 

Netanyahu: 'We will implement the Trump Plan'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed to intensify the ongoing war on Palestine’s Gaza and move forward with a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump to forcibly displace Palestinians from the besieged territory.

Speaking at the start of a Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu claimed that “a combination of military and political pressure is the only way to recover the hostages, not the empty slogans I hear in TV studios”, according to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

His remarks were a direct criticism of prominent Israeli analysts and families of the captives, who have warned that Israel’s military actions are endangering the lives of the hostages and accused him of prioritising personal political gains over their rescue.

Netanyahu insisted that “military pressure is working”, claiming that “it is crushing Hamas’s capabilities and creating conditions for the hostages’ release”.

“We will implement the Trump Plan, the voluntary migration plan. This is our strategy, and we are ready to discuss it at any time,” he added.

TRT Global - Israel’s 'ceasefire' was only a smokescreen for escalation

While the world saw a pause in fighting, Israel used the lull to reload, rearm, and unleash a deadlier phase of its assault on Gaza—one defined by cutting-edge weaponry and devastating precision.

🔗

Renewed Israeli aggression

On March 4, an emergency Arab summit on Palestine adopted a five-year, $53 billion plan to rebuild Gaza without displacing its residents.

Israel and the US rejected the initiative, instead backing Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Jordan, both of which have strongly opposed the idea, along with other Arab states and international organisations.

The Israeli army launched a surprise aerial assault on Gaza on March 18, killing over 920 people, wounding more than 2,000 others, and shattering the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.

More than 50,200 Palestinians have so far been killed, mostly women and children, and over 114,000 wounded in a brutal Israeli military onslaught on Gaza since October 2023.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and his former defence 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 on the enclave.

 

Beyond Blue Beam

ByBeyondBlueBeam March 26, 2025

Dear Readers,

We’ve always believed in sharing groundbreaking ideas openly, but to keep Beyond Blue Beam thriving—and to bring you even deeper, more exclusive content—we’re making a big change: Starting next week, full access will require a small subscription fee.

Here’s what that means for you:
– First Month Trial: Just $1.99 to unlock everything.
– Ongoing Access: After that, it’s $4.99/month—less than a paperback book for weekly deep dives into other realms.
– Free Weekly Post: Not ready to subscribe? Every Sunday, we’ll still release a free Beyond Blue Beam article so you never miss out entirely.

This shift isn’t just about sustainability—it’s about you. Your support lets us dig deeper, research harder, and keep this community independent. If you’ve ever shared our work, commented, or just quietly followed along: thank you. Beyond Blue Beam exists because of you, and with your help, we’ll keep pushing further.

Stay tuned for the official launch date—and if you have questions, hit reply. We’re all in this together.

With gratitude,
The Beyond Blue Beam Team

EDIT: We’ve noticed some confusion about Beyond Blue Beam, and we want to clear things up!

Beyond Blue Beam is written by a separate team, it is a premium section of benjaminfulford.net—it was included for FREE in your subscription (if you have one).

Why the change? The research, depth, and exclusive content in BBB require extra resources, so it has its own small fee.

We appreciate your understanding.

Moving on,

Welcome back to another episode of Beyond Blue Beam. Our journey into the realms of mystery and intrigue continues. Is it fiction or reality? As the Moody Blues say, “Red is grey and yellow white, but we decide which is right and which is an illusion.” You decide! Share your thoughts in the comments, and feel free to contribute additional insights or information. Kindly do not criticize the writers with negative statements, unless you are an expert on a certain topic and can verify it.
Meanwhile, relax and enjoy the read.

Today, we embark on another thrilling journey through time, space, and possibly even alternate realities.

As usual, buckle up for an intriguing exploration of diverse topics.

We will venture into several different realms both in this world and beyond….

Today we start with several of the latest News Updates that hopefully are of interest in this
3D Matrix.

Here is some interesting information regarding the JFK assassination.

JFK Assassinated by CIA X-Protect Aerospace Group for sharing the UFO File with Russia to try and avoid World War III…Historical Watergate Lawyer Blows the Whistle…!

https://x.com/darkjournalist/status/1902516330361717207

Mar 19, 2025

Less than a month after JFK’s assassination, Lyndon Johnson made a strange phone call to Jackie Kennedy—supposedly to console her.

In the recorded conversation, he tells the grieving widow that he wants to visit her and “spank her” around Christmas.

Jackie casually mentions taking “vitamin B shots”—code for the medical-grade methamphetamine that both she and JFK were reportedly addicted to.

Did you know JFK, Jackie Kennedy, AND Elvis Presley all had a ‘Dr. Feelgood’?

Dr. Max Jacobson, their personal physician, was injecting them with “vitamin B” shots”—actually laced with meth. Presidents, world leaders, A-list stars—all hooked on his miracle treatments.

Dr. Max Jacobson: The Controversial “Dr. Feelgood” Behind President John F. Kennedy’s Secret Treatments

Dr. Max Jacobson, widely known as “Dr. Feelgood,” was a German-born physician who played a controversial yet significant role in the life and health of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy during the early 1960s. Here’s an in-depth look at Dr. Jacobson’s practices, his treatments for the Kennedys, and the eventual fallout that ensued.

Born in Germany in 1900, Dr. Max Jacobson fled the Nazi regime in 1936 and established his medical practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. He became infamous for his so-called “miracle treatments,” which earned him a clientele of high-profile individuals, including celebrities and politicians. His methods, however, were far from conventional and ultimately led to significant controversy.

Dr. Jacobson’s most infamous patient was President John F. Kennedy, who relied on Jacobson’s “IV Special” injections, which reportedly contained a potent mix of:

•Methamphetamine (28 milligrams)
•Vitamins and Steroids
•Human placenta
•Animal organs (e.g., monkey gonads, sheep sperm)
•Opioid painkillers
•Barbiturates
•Testosterone

Kennedy, who suffered from chronic back pain and other ailments, found immediate relief in Jacobson’s injections, famously stating, “I don’t care if it’s horse piss. It’s the only thing that works.” The injections not only provided pain relief but also boosted Kennedy’s energy levels, helping him to maintain a vigorous public appearance and enhance his performance during critical moments, such as the 1960 presidential debate against Richard Nixon.

Treatments for Jackie Kennedy
First Lady Jackie Kennedy also received similar treatments from Dr. Jacobson. Notably, before meeting Queen Elizabeth II, Jacobson administered an injection to help Jackie feel composed and energized for the high-profile event. Like her husband, Jackie became reliant on Jacobson’s treatments during her time in the White House.

Frequency and Impact
Dr. Jacobson was a frequent visitor to the White House, with Secret Service logs indicating over 30 visits between 1961 and 1962. He also accompanied the Kennedys on international trips, including diplomatic visits to Paris and Vienna, ensuring they had access to his treatments at all times.

The Growing Controversy
While Jacobson’s treatments initially appeared beneficial, the long-term effects were far more concerning. Kennedy’s other physicians grew alarmed by Jacobson’s methods, warning of the potential risks of addiction and erratic behavior. Over time, JFK’s behavior became increasingly unpredictable, culminating in a severe psychotic episode in 1962, where he was reportedly found roaming naked and delirious in the Carlyle Hotel in New York.

Bobby Kennedy, deeply concerned about his brother’s deteriorating state, took matters into his own hands. He had the contents of Jacobson’s injections analyzed, uncovering the dangerous substances within. Armed with this knowledge, Bobby confronted President Kennedy and, along with other White House doctors, pressured him to cease Jacobson’s treatments. This intervention marked a turning point, as JFK’s decision-making and leadership notably improved after discontinuing the injections. His more stable health and clearer judgment were critical during pivotal moments, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

The exposure of Jacobson’s methods led to widespread criticism, and his once-thriving practice began to crumble. Eventually, Dr. Jacobson’s medical license was revoked due to his unorthodox and dangerous practices, ending his career. His impact on President Kennedy, however, remains a deeply controversial chapter in the history of the American presidency, raising questions about the hidden vulnerabilities of one of the most iconic leaders of the 20th century.

Who got JFK Hooked on Speed?

In the spring of 1962, President John F. Kennedy is said to have raced down a hallway of the Carlyle hotel stark naked. The incident (which would have jeopardized his presidency) was kept from the public. Also unbeknownst to the public, and Kennedy himself, was that he was hooked on amphetamines. More astonishingly, his supplier was a medical professional, Dr. Max Jacobson, whose dangerous remedies were inflicted upon a generation of New York’s elite.

Born in 1900 in Fordon, Bromberg, then part of the German Empire, Jacobson, who was Jewish, moved to the United States in 1936 to flee the Nazis. There, he slowly built his practice and a reputation for himself. Known as “Miracle Max,” the list of Jacobson’s regular patients reads like a roll call of the 20th century’s biggest icons:

Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Leonard Bernstein, Judy Garland, Humphrey Bogart, Elizabeth Taylor, Cecil B. DeMille, and Liza Minnelli; writers like Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and Rod Serling, who created The Twilight Zone; and even Nelson Rockefeller.

Jacobson’s most famous patient was John F. Kennedy (and his wife, Jackie). The doctor’s relationship with the family was so close that he traveled with the then-president on Air Force One, made house calls to see him in Hyannis Port and Palm Beach, and visited the White House 34 times over the course of 20 months. His presence was so frequent that the Secret Service dubbed him “Dr. Feelgood,” and the nickname stuck

https://avenuemagazine.com/who-got-jfk-hooked-on-speed/

Here is an old article by JFK Jr. in which he recounts the moment his mother, Jackie Kennedy, told him who killed his father. She expressed, “Your father was killed by his power-hungry Vice President, Lyndon B. Johnson who ordered the execution of his boss President JFK. So that he could seize control of the White House” ~ Jackie Kennedy Onassis ~

Why Jackie Kennedy’s Pink Suit Will Remain Locked Away Until 2103

The story behind one of the most famous outfits in American history.

https://wwd.com/feature/jackie-kennedy-pink-suit-1237052750/

William Cooper exposes the assassination of JFK on LIVE TV

MAY 15th, 1991 RARE

William Cooper tried to tell us and it was aired on Live TV in your living room. The government murdered him for telling truth. There is no better day to post this than now.

It’s really simple: CO2 is our balance to oxygen. Less CO2 equals less oxygen.

“There’s really no threat from increasing CO2… It’s all a made up scare story.”

Dr. William Happer, one of the world’s most pre-eminent physicists, dispels some of the more prevalent falsehoods perpetuated by climate alarmists about CO2.

“We should all be very grateful that we have CO2 in the atmosphere… Life would die without CO2.”

Proof the 2020 election was rigged by Mark Zuckerberg

The $500 million he used to capture swing states came with requirements that counties hold elections in a way that was AGAINST THE LAW in those states

“The money that Mark Zuckerberg was spending was money that you should, you should never have your elections controlled by a private individual — You cannot have agency capture. You cannot have a circumstance where the Pennsylvania law or the Wisconsin law says one thing, and these counties are going in and DOING SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT because they’re paid private funds to do something.”

Trump Signs Executive Order to Eliminate the Department of Education

“Closing the Department of Education would provide children and their families the opportunity to escape a system that is failing them.” –President Trump

“Has anyone who opposes Trump’s dismantling of the Department of Education actually read its founding documents?

From the Department of Education Organization Act: “The establishment of the Department of Education shall NOT increase the authority of the Federal Government over education or diminish the responsibility for education, which is reserved to the States and the local school systems and other instrumentalities of the States.”

“It is the intention of the Congress in the establishment of the Department to PROTECT the rights of State and local governments and public and private educational institutions…and improve the control of such governments and institutions over their own educational programs and policies.”

By stripping the Department of its power, Trump is UPHOLDING the will of Congress, not defying it.”

Exactly!

https://x.com/glennbeck/status/1902815993639891450

Stephen Miller just dropped the bomb and exposed Rep. Adam Schiff for millions to see speaking with Jesse Watters

“Adam Schiff is not only a stone cold hopeless L0SER, he’s one of the most corrupt individuals to ever serve in Public Office”

A little gossip for the readers:

Tiger Woods confirms he is in a relationship with Vanessa Trump.

Golfer Tiger Woods has announced he is dating Vanessa Trump, the former daughter-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

Vanessa, 47, was married to Donald Trump Jr for 13 years. The pair, who have five children, divorced in 2018.

On Sunday, Woods, 49, posted pictures of Vanessa and himself on social media saying: “Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together.”

“At this time we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts.”

It is unclear what prompted the public announcement, but rumours of their relationship had been reported in gossip magazines in recent weeks.

Woods, who has won 15 major championships, is known for being guarded about his personal life after exposure of his marital infidelities and sex scandals damaged his public standing in the 2000s and affected his playing career.

He admitted himself into a sex addiction rehab clinic, and went through an acrimonious split from his first wife Elin Nordegren months later after six years of marriage. The couple have two children together.

US media outlets report that Tiger Woods’ children attend the same school as Vanessa Trump’s.

As the former wife of Donald Trump’s eldest son, Vanessa had been a regular attendee at official events involving Trump’s extended family during his first term in office.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2n7d03x8xo

Energy leaders urge feds to declare “Canadian energy crisis”

Canada’s top energy executives are urging the federal government to declare a “Canadian energy crisis” and overhaul regulations to ensure major infrastructure projects receive approval within six months of application.

Energy leaders urge feds to declare “Canadian energy crisis”

This may be of special interest for our Canadian readers?

Since 1867, Canada has never been truly independent. It remains under the control of the British Crown, operating as a corporate entity registered under the authority of the monarchy.

The Governor General, appointed by the Crown, has the power to dismiss Parliament and override any Canadian law.

Canada’s legal system is subservient to British Common Law, meaning the ultimate authority over Canadian sovereignty still rests with the monarchy.

The Privy Council Office (PCO) is the Crown’s direct control mechanism over Canada’s government. It is not elected, it is not accountable, and it serves the monarchy’s interests first.

👉It oversaw the cover-up of vaccine injuries.

👉It obstructed Parliament’s investigation into the Winnipeg Lab scandal.

👉It ensures that Trudeau follows the Crown’s directives, not Canada’s democratic will.

When Trudeau speaks of “his country being at stake,” he is not talking about Canada’s independence

he is talking about protecting the interests of the Crown, the WEF, and the global power structure that keeps him in place.

All Members of Parliament, judges, military officers, and police in Canada take an oath to 👉“be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III, his heirs and successors.”

👉 They do not swear allegiance to the people, the Constitution, or the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

👉This is a feudal structure disguised as a democracy.

👉Canada’s highest offices are beholden to the Crown and globalist entities, not to its own citizens.

This explains why the legal system, law enforcement, and government agencies refuse to investigate their own crimes—because they serve the Crown’s interests above all else.

Canada is not a sovereign republic like the United States

👉it remains a Crown Dominion, meaning that its officials swear allegiance not to the people, but to the British monarchy and its heirs.

The Uniparty Illusion
Controlled Opposition

Canada does not have an opposition in the traditional sense

👉it has a Uniparty system where all major political actors ultimately serve the same establishment.

👉 They perform theatrics in Parliament, arguing over policy details while ignoring the bigger issue—Canada is not sovereign.

👉They engage in controlled opposition, pretending to fight Trudeau while never exposing the real system of control.

👉They know that if they were to challenge the Crown’s control, they would be silenced, de-banked, or politically destroyed.

The illusion of opposition keeps Canadians distracted, making them believe that voting will change the outcome, when in reality, all parties serve the same system.

Aiding and Abetting Crimes Against Canada

If Trudeau has committed acts of treason, election fraud, foreign collusion, and national sabotage, then any opposition party that refuses to expose this is complicit.

Canadian Criminal Code Violations:

👉Misprision of Treason (Section 50) – If an official knows of treason but fails to report or act on it, they are guilty as well.

👉Accessory After the Fact (Section 23) – If the opposition protects or conceals Trudeau’s crimes, they are legally guilty.

👉Conspiracy (Section 465) – If multiple political parties collude to suppress the truth, this is an act of organized criminality.

LIBERAL party rule cannot continue without the opposition’s cooperation.

If the opposition were real, they would:
👉 Call for an independent inquiry into Trudeau’s election fraud.
👉 Expose the monarchy’s direct control over Canada.
👉Demand that the Privy Council Office be dismantled.
👉Challenge Canada’s status as a Crown-controlled dominion.

None of them are doing this.

That tells you everything you need to know.

If every major political party is compromised, then the burden of reclaiming Canada falls upon the people.

👉This is not just a fight against Trudeau
👉it is a fight against a system that protects him.
👉The opposition parties are gatekeepers, preventing real change while pretending to challenge power.
👉 The Canadian people must stop waiting for political heroes—because none are coming.

From one of our Canadian reliable sources. “I checked it all out. It is all true about these freaks”

Margaret Trudeau remarried and had 2 kids with Fried Kemper

– Fried kemper is the brother of Mark Carney’s Mother Verlie Kemper

– Mark Carney is the Godfather of one of Chrystia Freelands kids

“This is some kind of weird cult we have here running the show in Canada”

Premier of Australia’s New South Wales claims “free speech” like in the U.S. is incompatible with a “multicultural” society.

Brigitte Macron was 41 years old when he started grooming his now husband & French President Emmanuel Macron who was only just 15 at the time.

Believe it or not the story gets even stranger from there…

One of the most important videos on the internet.

Dr. David E. Martin calls for total destruction of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Crimes Against Humanity & Bio-terrorism

Pfizer Jabs Are All Full of SV40

“The Pfizer jabs are all full of SV40. SV40 was what, in my day, we put into mice to make them grow tumors…And we are putting this into humans…These people behind Moderna and Pfizer are just pure, pure evil, and they must be held to account.”

Angus Dalgleish, a professor of oncology at St George’s, University of London

Vaccine injury scorecard –
how did your child score?

They knew the dangers 40 years ago

How long has flu vaccine fraud been going on?

The reason they want to censor and suppress social media is because old clips like this one shown by Jimmy Dore, that were supressed in legacy media, can surface and suddenly be viewed by millions to reveal that Covid was just an extension of the fraud and deception that is historical and ongoing.

UN Secretary General is looking for loopholes in anti-Russia sanctions while admitting they exist, it is unacceptable — Russian FM Lavrov

‘Without Europe’s help, the Nazi regime in Ukraine would have ended long ago’ – Lavrov

Zelensky’s photo with a burning Kremlin in the background reflects his level of spiritual development — Peskov

Here is some humor in the madness of the Matrix

Enjoy this cartoon satire of Trump and Putin at a train station. Waving goodbye to Zelensky on his way to Siberia.

The Zionists just won’t stop. They need to be rounded up, tried and publicly executed.

The IDF rigged and blew apart the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship hospital in Central Gaza.

Moving on to other realms

THESE MYSTERIES OF ANCIENT INDIAN TEMPLES HAUNT MODERN ARCHITECTS

WATCH the WATER 💧

The guy is getting there, we all have a piece to put together for the big puzzle …

They are in the atmosphere, or right outside the atmosphere, in the mountains and underwater…

CONTACT will Begin from Above the WATER 💧

WHY?

Because the unaware people will not feel it as a threat, instead of standing/hovering right above people’s heads

Keep calm, Be in Peace, time is an illusion and if you aren’t frustrated, which is a low State of Consciousness, time will go Much Faster

t.me/DavideB144

What you are seeing and hearing is Old Tartarian footage of the of the chronophonic Aeolian modulator

The Tartarian bell towers a lost civilization and architecture of impossible precision.

They didn’t just take the bells, they took the frequencies

Would you date a female Giant?
Check out this amazing video. True or
Just a made up story. You decide…

Closing out this section with
this new KFC Advert. It is the Strangest KFC advert you have ever seen.

The UFO 🛸 videos

1. Orbs seen over Russia March 18, 2025

2. UAP seen on a live weather news channel Seattle, Washington USA March 14, 2025

3. What is this seen in the sky over Guatemala? March 19, 2025

4. UAP’s seen by many people at a beach. Location unknown. March 2025

5. Mauna Kea (Hawaii) USA March 19th/ 0:45-1:45AM 2025

6. A bright drone seen in the sky. Location unknown. March 2025

7. Another strange phenomenon seen in the sky over Guatemala March 2025. Could this be the same UAP or is it a portal?

8. A strange UAP seen over Poland March 2025

9. View from the cockpit at 45,000 feet over East Texas , USA March, 2025

10. March 8, 2025, St. Lucie county Florida This is not SpaceX believe it or not. Can one of the readers explain what this could be?

11. Ancient Alien sculpture-Mexico

12. More ancient Alien artifacts from Mexico

13. UFO seen over Chile March 22, 2025

End of transmission>>>>>>>>>>

 

Eid in Gaza: Joy tainted by blood

Hala Al KhatibMarch 30, 2025

Palestinian Muslims attend Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip March 30, 2025. (Photo: Ramy Mahmud/APA Images)

When Ramadan began during the ceasefire in Gaza this year, all of us in Gaza pinned our hopes on Eid. It was supposed to be the first joyful occasion after a war that had stripped us of happiness.

For Gazans, this Eid was supposed to be a symbol of resilience and hope after months of war. But once again, Israel made sure to crush even our smallest dreams.

As always, the Israeli occupation could not bear to see us finding hope again, despite all its efforts to destroy us. Knowing how important this Eid was to us, it decided to crush any chance of survival in the most brutal way. In a single night, while we were asleep in our homes, at 2:00 a.m., all our plans and preparations were shattered.

We all woke up to the sound of missiles. It felt like we had been thrown back in time, back to the nights when waking up to a rocket hitting the house next door had become normal—but this time, with even more fear and pain.

My orphaned nieces and nephews woke up, asking if the neighbors were testing fireworks for Eid. They knew what the sound of missiles was. They knew the answer. But this was their way of rejecting reality. We couldn’t answer them. We just stayed silent and cried.

But war alone wasn’t enough to make life unbearable. All the crossings—our lifeline—were also shut down, cutting off essential supplies. Within a single day, goods disappeared from the markets, and prices skyrocketed, especially for anything related to Eid preparations.

Palestinians shop at a local market in preparation for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr amid ongoing Israeli attacks and severe shortages caused by the closure of border crossings, in Gaza City, Gaza on March 29, 2025. (Photo: Omar Ashtawy/APA Images)

Despite all of this and despite our deep disappointment, our commitment to keeping Eid traditions alive did not change.

Despite the dire financial situation in Gaza—where most families have no income—parents did everything they could to keep their promises to their children, ensuring that this Eid would be different from the last.

For many children, their greatest fear when the war returned wasn’t the bombings—it was the thought of not being able to celebrate Eid.

Markets filled with fathers wearing anxious expressions, unable to afford a proper meal, while their excited children pointed with sparkling eyes at Eid outfits. But with prices soaring—where a single child’s outfit now costs over $100 due to the blockade—most families could only buy clothes if they sacrificed other essentials of life.

Celebrating Eid during war is not just about new clothes or our own happiness—it has become a way to defend our culture and traditions. 

However, celebrating Eid during war is not just about new clothes or our own happiness—it has become a way to defend our culture and traditions. In Gaza, we have been making Eid cookies for generations, and now, baking them is an act of resistance and proof of our existence.

Despite the high cost of making them during wartime, families support one another in gathering the necessary ingredients. Those who have extra dates share them with others in exchange for semolina—both essential ingredients—so that everyone can prepare them and place them on the Eid table, even if there are no visitors.

For families who have lost loved ones—and in Gaza, that is the majority—even attempting to celebrate feels like a luxury they can’t afford. Eid, once a time for family gatherings, has become another painful reminder of their loss.

• 

  A Palestinian family prepares traditional cookies in preparation for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in a shelter for displaced people in a UNRWA school in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on March 28, 2025. (Photo: Doaa el-Baz/APA Images)

• 

  A Palestinian family prepares traditional cookies in preparation for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in a shelter for displaced people in a UNRWA school in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on March 28, 2025. (Photo: Doaa el-Baz/APA Images)

On the morning of Eid, instead of visiting relatives, those who remain go to the cemetery to visit their martyrs. Instead of giving children Eid money, they place flowers on graves and pray for the souls of the departed. And instead of baking cookies for celebration, they bake them as a charity for their souls, distributing them in their memory.

Children of the martyrs now dream of a different kind of Eid. My orphaned niece and nephew only wished for one thing this Eid: that the army wouldn’t advance again near the cemetery where their father was buried.

Children of the martyrs now dream of a different kind of Eid. My orphaned niece and nephew, whose fathers were killed in the war, only wished for one thing this Eid: that the army wouldn’t advance again near the cemetery where their father was buried—so they could visit him in the morning and show him their Eid clothes.

Mariam, my four-year-old niece, asked me, “Should I look at the grave or at the sky when I talk to my dad?” She and her cousin argued over which grave they should visit first—their father’s or his.

Palestinians visit the graves of their relatives after Eid al-Fitr prayers at Sheikh Radwan Cemetery in Gaza City on March 30, 2025. (Photo: Omar Ashtawy/APA Images)

But the war didn’t just take away our loved ones, nor did it only bring the suffering that Gazans endure. It changed everything about Eid, bringing pain into every detail of our lives.

Instead of waking up to the sound of Eid takbeersand children playing in the streets, we now wake up to the sounds of airstrikes that begin at dawn, reminding us of the constant threat.

We used to go to Eid prayers together—family and friends, praying in mosques and large open spaces. But now, after half the mosques have been bombed and the other half closed for fear of airstrikes, Eid prayers are held in schools and shelters.

Despite all the efforts Gazans make to create joy out of anything, the happiness remains incomplete and hesitant.

Leaving the house to greet relatives has become another fear, as bombings increase significantly during Eid. Some families, with members spread between the north and south of Gaza, are denied any opportunity to gather. The Israeli occupation’s forces advanced again to the Nitzarim checkpoint, splitting Gaza in half and blocking access for cars via Salah El-Din Street. As for Al-Rasheed Street, it is long and exhausting for people to walk, making it impossible to go and return on the same day. Once again, these families were deprived of celebrating together.

Despite all the efforts Gazans make to create joy out of anything, the happiness remains incomplete and hesitant. Next to one home trying to bring the spirit of Eid, another is opening a mourning tent, and loved ones find their houses reduced to rubble. No matter how loud the Eid takbeers or festive songs are played, the sounds of bombings and the cries of mothers who lost their children are louder.

Yet, even as Gaza’s joy remains stained with blood, we refuse to let it disappear.

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Hala Al Khatib
Hala Al Khatib is a Palestinian writer and poet from Gaza who studies English literature. Her writings have been published with Al Jazeera, We Are Not Numbers, and Electronic Intifada.