May 15 marks the 78th anniversary of the Nakba (Arabic for “catastrophe”), commemorating the displacement and forced exile of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in 1948. The event triggered a prolonged refugee crisis that has affected generations of Palestinians to this day.
The Nakba unfolded amid the establishment of the State of Israel, as Jewish forces occupied territories and drove more than 700,000 Palestinians to flee or be expelled from their homes. Villages and towns were destroyed, and many ended up in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.
The repercussions of the Nakba remain deeply embedded in ongoing conflicts. The right of return for Palestinian refugees continues to be one of the most contentious issues in Middle East peace efforts. International human rights organizations consistently document violations related to Palestinian self-determination and land ownership.
During this year’s commemorations, Palestinians around the world held marches and memorial events, calling for international attention to the 78-year-long humanitarian crisis. Videos and records of the Nakba, such as those available on YouTube, play a crucial role in documenting and passing down this historical memory to future generations.
