Palestinians in Gaza mark 78th anniversary of Nakba with cultural performances — Friday 15 May 2026Palestinians in Gaza gathered this week to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Nakba through traditional cultural performances and the symbolic planting of olive trees. The events served as both a remembrance of the mass displacement that accompanied Israel's founding in 1948 and a tribute to those killed during the ongoing military campaign in the territory. Participants emphasized continuity between the historic uprooting of Palestinian communities and present-day losses, framing the gatherings as acts of cultural resistance amid restricted movement and severe humanitarian conditions. The Nakba, Arabic for catastrophe, refers to the expulsion or flight of an estimated 750,000 Palestinians from their homes as Zionist militias secured territory for the new state. Entire villages were depopulated, and the right of return for those displaced remains a core unresolved issue in international diplomacy. In Gaza, where most residents descend from 1948 refugees, the anniversary carries added weight because many families trace their origins directly to towns and villages now inside Israel. From a global standpoint, the observances highlight persistent questions about displacement, historical accountability, and the application of international humanitarian law in protracted conflicts. Observers in Europe, the United States, and across the Arab world continue to debate how recognition of the Nakba intersects with current cease-fire negotiations and reconstruction efforts. The cultural displays in Gaza underscore how collective memory shapes political identity for millions of Palestinians living under blockade or in exile.Watch the full video from Middle East Eye below.