Key Points:
- Over 82 Palestinians, mostly women and children, were killed in recent Israeli attacks across Gaza.
- Nakba Day (May 15) marks 77 years since the forced expulsion of 750,000 Palestinians in 1948.
- 57 killed overnight in Khan Younis; hospitals overwhelmed with casualties.
- Israeli airstrikes target residential areas, wiping out entire families.
- Far-right Israeli officials call for flattening Palestinian towns in the West Bank, mirroring Gaza’s destruction.
- Raids, arrests, and abuse reported in West Bank refugee camps (Tubas, Nablus, Bethlehem, etc.).
- Civil defence teams in Gaza lack the equipment to rescue people trapped under rubble.
Palestinians Endure Relentless Violence Amid Nakba Anniversary
Over 82 Palestinians, including dozens of women and children, have been killed in a surge of Israeli attacks across Gaza, compounding the catastrophic toll of 19 months of bombardment. The violence coincides with Nakba Day, marking 77 years since Zionist forces expelled 750,000 Palestinians during Israel’s creation in 1948—a trauma now relived daily under occupation.
Bloodshed in Khan Younis
Overnight airstrikes on Khan Younis killed 57 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The Nasser Medical Complex reported children among the dead and wounded, as Israel intensified air raids on residential areas. Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum described “another bloody day,” stating Israeli warplanes struck nine homes without warning, “completely wiping out” families. Civil defence teams, lacking equipment, struggled to rescue those trapped under rubble.
Why is Gaza’s healthcare system collapsing?
Israel’s blockade restricts medical supplies, and repeated attacks have destroyed hospitals and clinics.
Nakba Day: A Cycle of Displacement
For Palestinians, Nakba Day is not just a historical event but a lived reality. Over 1.7 million Gaza residents are internally displaced, many forced to flee multiple times as Israel orders evacuations. Abu Azzoum noted civilians are targeted “while they were asleep,” with 13 air raids hitting Jabalia refugee camp.
What was the 1948 Nakba?
Zionist militias destroyed 500+ Palestinian villages and expelled 750,000 people to establish Israel.
West Bank Escalation: “Flattening” Palestinian Life
Israel’s far-right government is expanding violence to the West Bank. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged troops to “flatten” Palestinian villages like Bruqin, mirroring Gaza’s destruction. Overnight raids in Tubas, Nablus, and Bethlehem included house demolitions, arrests, and alleged abuse. Smotrich’s rhetoric comparing West Bank operations to Gaza’s bombardment signals a dangerous escalation.
Why target the West Bank now?
Hardline factions aim to annexe Palestinian land, using Gaza’s war to justify accelerated settlement expansion.
Systematic Destruction of Gaza
Abu Azzoum accused Israel of attacking Gaza’s “social fabric,” not just military targets. Schools, mosques, and homes lie in ruins, while Israel’s siege blocks food, water, and fuel. Over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, with no safe zone left.
Can Palestinians rebuild Gaza?
Without lifting the blockade and ending the occupation, recovery is impossible.
Conclusion: Will the World Act?
As Palestinians mourn Nakba Day, Israel’s attacks on Gaza and the West Bank deepen fears of ethnic cleansing. With global leaders failing to enforce ceasefires or accountability, Palestinians ask: How many more lives will it take to end this suffering?
