Palestinians Mark Nakba Day Amid Ongoing Israeli Aggression and Displacement

Strategic Insights -

Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank marked Nakba day last week, commemorating the loss of their land and homes after the 1948 war at the birth of the State of Israel. The somber occasion comes as Israel continues to displace hundreds of thousands of Palestinians through its military operations in Gaza and the West Bank, leaving many living under death threats and in inhumane conditions.

Palestinians have been facing brutal treatment at the hands of Israeli forces, with widespread reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, checkpoints, home demolitions, and settler violence. The state of human rights in Palestine is abysmal, with children as young as 12 being arraigned in military courts and conviction rates exceeding 95 percent.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza since October 2023, with many being women and children.
  • More than 1.5 million people have been displaced in Gaza, with entire neighborhoods being wiped out and hospitals, schools, and mosques being bombed.
  • Israel's latest campaign in Gaza has resulted in the displacement of 436,000 people since March, with 70 percent of Gaza now residing in areas designated as "no-go" zones.
  • Palestinians in the West Bank face daily violence from settlers and the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), often without consequences.
  • The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has issued statements and held emergency meetings to condemn Israel's actions, but internal divisions have hindered a united front.
  • Western nations, including the U.S., UK, and EU, have been accused of duplicity on the Palestine issue, championing democracy and human rights while remaining complicit in Israel's violations.
  • Israel has received over $3.8 billion annually in military aid from the U.S., and European nations fund UN relief efforts for Palestinians while maintaining economic and military ties with the occupier.
  • Israel's settlement expansion has made a two-State solution increasingly unviable, with alternatives including a bi-national democratic State or an international trusteeship over disputed territories.

Statistics:

  • 35,000+ Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza since October 2023
  • 1.5 million+ people displaced in Gaza since October 2023
  • 436,000+ people displaced in Gaza since March
  • 95%+ conviction rate for children arraigned in military courts
  • 70%+ of Gaza residing in "no-go" zones
  • $3.8+ billion annually in military aid to Israel from the U.S.

Sources:

  • "Thousands of Palestinians Mark Nakba Day as Israel Continues to Displace Hundreds of Thousands" (Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka)
  • "The Suffering of the Palestinian People Has Deep Historical Roots" (Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka)
  • "The Worst Violence in Recent Memory: Israel's Latest Campaign in Gaza" (Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka)
  • "The Occupation and Violence Have Been Used as Justification for Attacks and Recruitment by Extremist Groups" (Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka)
  • "The Only Sustainable Solution is a Just, Negotiated Peace that Addresses the Root Causes of the Conflict" (Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka)
  • United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory)
  • International Court of Justice (ICJ)