Palestinians Mark 77 Years Since Nakba with New Waves of Grief, Displacement

Rabat – As Palestinians marked 77 years since the Nakba, the mass displacement during the creation of Israel in 1948, they are facing yet another wave of destruction and forced evacuation in the wake of Israeli aggression.

At least 115 people, mostly women and children, were killed in recent Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, with entire families wiped out in Khan Younis and Jabalia.

Hospitals were bombed, shelters destroyed, and thousands forced to flee with nowhere safe to turn. Many in Gaza described the current attacks as a continuation of the Nakba, as the population endures unrelenting bombardment, displacement, and loss under this war against civilians.

The Nakba, which means “catastrophe” in Arabic, refers to the mass displacement and suffering of Palestinians that began in 1948 during the creation of the state of Israel. Around 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly expelled, losing their homes, land, and livelihoods.

The Nakba is a central event in Palestinian history and collective memory, as it symbolizes the loss of their homeland and ongoing struggles with displacement and statelessness due to Israeli occupation.

Al Jazeera spoke to Nakba survivors, including 85-year-old displaced Mohammed, who said that Israeli “brutality” has gotten worse than 77 years ago.

Meanwhile, Israel continues its relentless attacks on civilians across the war-torn strip amid a dire need for food and medication.

Since March 2, Israel has blocked all food, water, medicine, and fuel from entering. Human rights groups and the United Nations have warned that these actions violate international humanitarian law and could lead to famine.

Israel has justified the blockade by saying that aid intended for civilians is diverted by Hamas or other groups, with UNRWA accused of being implicated.

As a result, the US announced the creation of a new foundation to coordinate aid deliveries to Gaza. This has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian groups and the United Nations agency that has long led relief operations in the region.