Muslims across the Middle-East held last minute preparations on 15 July for Eid al-Fitr, which will mark the end of Ramadan.

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The cobble stoned alleyways in Jerusalem's old city were bustling with shoppers during the day buying supplies for the three-day holiday.

In the West Bank city of Hebron, the marketplace was also bustling with families and children enjoying preparations for the festive holiday.

A ceasefire in August 2014 ended 50 days of fighting between Gaza and Israel, in which 2,100 Palestinians, most of whom were civilians, were killed. Israel put the number of its dead at 67 soldiers and six civilians.

Eid al-Fitr is normally a time of feasts and fun, presents and parties. Families spend time together over Eid, exchanging gifts and sharing meals.

"As you can see, thousands in Hebron are flooding into the markets until late at night. Shopping here is fine and it looks like that the shop owners here in Hebron have prepared well for Eid al-Fitr," shopper Mazoz al-Kitani said.

Residents from Gaza said that this Eid is better than last year's because people felt safe and not threatened by war.

"Last year people were stressed out. The war on Gaza affected us tremendously. Second, a lot of martyrs, no one was happy, not the old or the young. This Eid everyone is happy, old and young," shopper Osama al-Hadad said.

"Last year we had war and destruction but we won and this year is good and as you see the people, in the spirit of Eid, the people want to buy and go out to let go and find relief. We hope that next year will be better than all the previous years," said Abdulqader Abu Shaaban.

The holiday is expected to begin either on 17 or 18 July.

More about Eid al-Fitr