Dine & Cook | Alternative food journalism

As Muslims around the world begin to celebrate the festival of Eid al-Adha, people in Gaza are heading underground to bring in one of the key items needed to properly celebrate the annual "Feast of Sacrifice."

Weeks leading up to the festival, Gaza smugglers used the same tunnels used to smuggle in weapons from Egypt to smuggle in cows for the ritual Eid slaughter and following holiday feasts.  Cows are critical for live sacrifices, the main component of the holiday; however, in some Muslim cultures goats, sheep and camels are used instead of cows.

The "Feast of Sacrifice" is regarded by most Muslims as the most important feast on the Islamic calendar and is held to commemorate Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son.  During the three-day festival Muslims around the world slaughter livestock, splitting the meat between the needy and family members.  It is a time of celebration, with friends and families coming over to partake in the ritual meals.

An Israeli military spokesman said cows were being allowed into Gaza through its crossing to Israel, but Palestinian officials say the cows don't meet strict Muslim standards set for the festival.  According to Muslim tradition, the cows must be older than two years and weigh no less than 1,102 pounds.

"The cows [from Israel] only enter once or twice a week, the amount is not enough, the age of the cows is also not good," said an unnamed smuggler to the Reuters news agency.  "The weight of cows that enter is only between 772 and 882 pounds."

The southern Gaza town of Rafah has become a hot spot for smuggling activity since the militant Hamas political group took power.  Rafah shares a border with Egypt and the tunnels linking the two sides are a frequent target of Israeli fighter jets.  The tunnels often take weeks or months to dig, with the tunnelers sleeping where they work to avoid getting caught.  They are also very cramped, sometimes only feet high and wide.

Getting the cows through these tunnels is a lot of work.  They usually are tied at the feet and then dragged by rope.  They are then winched up in makeshift cranes to the surface.

The Hamas take over and ensuing Israeli blockade of Gaza has been devastating.  Israel contends that the blockade is necessary to stop deadly violence and points out that foodstuffs and aid items are being allowed in.  Despite this, the UN says most Gaza residents are dependent on international aid-- the UN agency set up to assist Palestinians estimates that 800,000 people are in need of daily aid in the Gaza Strip.

Ahead of holidays, extra items are brought in from Egypt and Israel and this year the area markets are fuller than they were in the past.  During Ramadan, the Muslim holy month marked by fasting, Israel trucked in extra sweets and candies for the tradition of breaking fast at sundown.

Go to page two for traditional Eid recipes.