On May 15, 2026, Palestinians around the world are celebrating Nakba Day, the 78th anniversary of the Nakba. Palestinians also call this day “the Great Judgment” or “the Day of Destruction,” because millions of Palestinians were deprived of their homes, lands, and homelands in 1948.
Historically, on May 14, 1948, Israel declared its establishment, and the next day, war broke out between Arab countries and Israel. During this war, which lasted for about 15 months, more than 750,000 Palestinians were displaced and forced to seek refuge in different regions and countries. Most of them have not been able to return to their homes to this day because their areas came under Israeli control.
Palestinians remember this collective displacement and destruction as “Nakba.” Every year on May 15, Palestinians hold rallies, demonstrations, and events around the world. On this day, old house keys are raised as a symbol, reminding us of the homes from which Palestinian families were evicted in 1948.
This year, Nakba Day is being observed at a time when the Gaza Strip is once again facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Millions of people have been displaced, basic infrastructure has been destroyed, and most areas are affected by Israeli military operations. Palestinians say the history of the 1948 Nakba is being repeated in Gaza today, where people are forced to live a life of constant displacement, fear, and destruction.
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