On May 15, Palestinians worldwide commemorated the 76th anniversary of Al-Nakba, the catastrophic event between 1947 and 1948 that led to the ethnic cleansing and forced displacement of Palestinian people from their homeland, this is disclosed in a statement by the Palestinian envoy to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh.
“This period saw over 15,000 Palestinians killed and approximately 950,000 turned into refugees. The displacement was orchestrated through over 70 massacres, the most infamous being Deir Yassin. To this day, evidence of atrocities continues to surface, such as mass graves and destroyed villages, he added.”
“Currently, on the 223rd day of the ongoing conflict, the humanitarian toll is staggering. Over 45,000 Palestinians have been killed, including thousands of children and women. Infrastructure has been severely impacted, with 243 mosques, 86,000 housing units, and numerous hospitals and schools destroyed. The blockade of Gaza has exacerbated the crisis, with critical shortages in medical care leading to life-threatening conditions for thousands.
“The international response has been mixed. The United Nations General Assembly recently upgraded Palestine’s status, a symbolic move endorsed by 143 countries despite the U.S. veto in the Security Council. However, the situation on the ground remains dire. The Israeli military’s control over the Gaza-Egypt crossing has intensified humanitarian suffering, with reports of malnutrition and famine.
“Human rights organizations, including the UN and Human Rights Watch, have condemned Israel’s actions. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and EU High Representative Josep Borrell have called for an end to hostilities and criticized attacks on humanitarian workers and facilities. The discovery of mass graves has prompted calls for an independent investigation into potential war crimes.
“The global student movement supporting Palestinian rights faces severe backlash, often labeled as hate speech and antisemitism, highlighting a perceived double standard in the defense of free speech.
“As Palestinians continue to resist occupation, the international community’s role in seeking a peaceful resolution remains crucial.”