Palestinians commemorate 77 years since Nakba amid ongoing turmoil

Palestinians mark 77 years since the Nakba amid ongoing displacement and Israeli aggression. As they reflect on the mass displacement that occurred during the establishment of Israel in 1948, the current situation in Gaza underscores a renewed wave of destruction and forced evacuations.

Recent Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of at least 115 individuals, predominantly women and children, leaving entire families devastated in areas like Khan Younis and Jabalia. Hospitals have been bombed, shelters obliterated, and thousands have been compelled to flee, often with nowhere safe to turn. The people of Gaza have described the current violence as a continuation of the Nakba, enduring relentless bombardment, displacement, and profound loss under what many perceive as an ongoing war against civilians.

The term Nakba, meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic, encapsulates the mass suffering and displacement of Palestinians that began in 1948. Approximately 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly expelled from their homes, losing not only their residences but also their land and livelihoods. This event remains a pivotal moment in Palestinian history and collective memory, symbolizing the enduring struggles related to displacement and statelessness that stem from Israeli occupation.

Amidst this backdrop, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) highlights the dire humanitarian conditions. Since March 2, Israel has imposed a blockade, preventing food, water, medicine, and fuel from entering Gaza. Human rights organizations and the United Nations have condemned these actions as violations of international humanitarian law, warning that they could precipitate a famine.

While Israel asserts that the blockade is necessary to prevent aid from being diverted to Hamas and other factions, the situation remains precarious. In response to the escalating crisis, the United States has announced the establishment of a new foundation aimed at coordinating aid deliveries to Gaza. However, this initiative has faced sharp criticism from humanitarian groups and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has traditionally managed relief efforts in the region.

As Palestinians continue to grapple with the repercussions of the Nakba and the ongoing violence, the words of Nakba survivors resonate deeply. An 85-year-old displaced individual named Mohammed articulated a poignant sentiment: Israeli “brutality” has intensified compared to 77 years ago, underscoring the profound sense of loss and grief that permeates the Palestinian experience today.