Palestinians in Gaza mark 78th anniversary of Nakba with cultural performances — Friday 15 May 2026In Gaza, Palestinians gathered to mark the 78th anniversary of the Nakba through cultural performances and the symbolic planting of olive trees, events that blended remembrance with quiet defiance amid ongoing devastation. Participants highlighted not only the 1948 displacement of around 750,000 people during the creation of Israel but also the recent loss of life in the territory, framing the day as a link between historical uprooting and present suffering. These acts of commemoration, held under difficult conditions, drew on traditional songs and dances to preserve identity in a place where daily existence remains precarious. The Nakba, meaning catastrophe in Arabic, continues to shape regional consciousness far beyond Gaza's borders. In Lebanon, where many descendants of those displaced in 1948 still live in refugee camps, the anniversary stirs parallel reflections on unresolved displacement and the limits of international diplomacy. Observers across the Arab world see such gatherings as reminders that the original expulsion set the stage for recurring cycles of conflict, with Gaza now bearing the heaviest toll. For many in the Middle East, these performances underscore resilience rather than resignation. Olive trees, planted during the events, evoke both rootedness in the land and the hope that memory can outlast attempts to erase it. As regional tensions persist, the Nakba's legacy serves as a touchstone for discussions on justice and coexistence that extend from Beirut to Cairo and beyond.Watch the full video from Middle East Eye below.