Palestinians in Gaza mark anniversary of 1948 mass expulsion and say today's catastrophe is worse

Key Points:

• Yusuf Abu Hamam, a 78-year-old Palestinian Nakba survivor, highlights the ongoing catastrophe as Israeli military advances have devastated Gaza, now controlling 60% of the territory and displacing millions.
• The Nakba refers to the 1948 mass expulsion of approximately 750,000 Palestinians from their homes during the creation of Israel, resulting in the destruction of around 530 Palestinian villages and the establishment of a large refugee population.
• Gaza has experienced a new Nakba with extensive Israeli bombardment and demolitions over the past 2½ years, destroying homes and displacing residents multiple times, leaving many in dire conditions within overcrowded tent camps.
• Over 72,700 Palestinians have been killed in the latest conflict, triggered by Hamas' October 2023 attack on Israel, and tens of thousands remain displaced in the West Bank due to ongoing Israeli military operations.
• The conflict has also led to the loss of vital Palestinian historical documents and personal records, threatening the preservation of their identity and refugee status, with efforts underway to salvage what remains.