Palestinian afraid of second Nakba - Final 2025 Nakba
Introduction
The fear of a “second Nakba” — a reference to the mass displacement of 750,000 Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war — has intensified among Palestinians amid Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and recent political rhetoric advocating their expulsion.
This term, meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic, now symbolizes both historical trauma and present-day existential threats, with Palestinians facing unprecedented displacement, destruction, and calls for permanent removal from their homeland.
Historical Context and Current Parallels
The original Nakba saw Palestinians expelled or fleeing from their homes during Israel’s creation, with refugees barred from returning.
Today, 1.7 million Gazans (75% of the population) have been displaced since October 2023, surpassing 1948’s scale. Many live in squalid tent camps, echoing the refugee crises of the past. The destruction of neighborhoods, critical infrastructure, and cultural landmarks has drawn direct comparisons to 1948, with Palestinians describing the war as “1948 all over again”.
Triggers of a Second Nakba
Military Operations and Forced Evacuations
Oct 2023 evacuation orders.
Israel’s evacuation orders for northern Gaza in 2023, coupled with airstrikes leveling entire districts, forced mass migrations. Survivors report fleeing on foot or donkey carts, mirroring 1948 imagery.
February 2025 Shift, Trump’s Influence and Voluntary Relocation
In February 2025, following Trump’s announcement of U.S. plans to “take over” Gaza, Defense Minister Israel Katz directed the IDF to draft a voluntary evacuation strategy for Gazans. Key elements include:
Land, sea, and air exit options for Palestinians.
Pressure on European countries (e.g., Spain, Ireland, Norway) to accept Gazan refugees, citing their “legal obligations”.
Alignment with Trump’s vision to resettle Gazans in Arab states and transform Gaza into a U.S.-controlled “Riviera of the Middle East”.
Gaza’s healthcare, water, and electricity systems have collapsed, creating conditions the UN calls “unlivable”.
Political Rhetoric and Displacement Proposals
U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion to “clean out” Gaza and resettle Palestinians in Egypt or Jordan has reignited fears. His call for the U.S. to assume control of the enclave has been condemned as endorsing “ethnic cleansing”. The US government is also working with Israel and possibly move Palestinians to Africa.
Israeli far-right politicians, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have openly supported expulsion plans, framing it as a “voluntary migration”.
Humanitarian Crisis and Psychological Impact
Over 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, with survivors facing starvation and disease. Many refuse to flee, fearing permanent exile: “We will endure here, even if it means living amidst ruins”.
Elderly refugees who survived 1948, like 80-year-old Mustafa al-Gazzar, describe current conditions as worse: “In 1948, my hope was to return. Today, my hope is to survive”.
International Responses and Legal Concerns
The UN and human rights groups warn that forced displacement violates international law, constituting a “war crime”. Egypt and Jordan have rejected resettlement proposals, calling them a “second Nakba”.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas alike have framed Israel’s actions as a systematic effort to erase Palestinian identity.
Long-Term Implications
The trauma of 1948 remains central to Palestinian identity, with refugees passing down keys to lost homes as symbols of return. Today, fears focus on incremental expulsion through:
Gradual depopulation
Destroyed infrastructure and unlivable conditions may push Palestinians to leave “voluntarily”.
Annexation threats
Expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem heightens concerns of territorial erasure.
Conclusion
As one Gaza resident starkly put it: “The Nakba of 2024 is a trillion Nakbas”. With reconstruction estimated to take 15 years and no clear political resolution, Palestinians face a future where steadfastness on their land is both an act of resistance and survival
FAF additional review
In light of the observable patterns of annexation in various regions globally, the situation in Palestine and Israel is indeed tangible. Our understanding of global history reveals that the perceptions held by both parties are troubling; however, the potential consequences of these actions could be catastrophic.
We recently had a conversation with a respected elder, Raj, who, at 91 years of age, was watching television and inquired about the images from Gaza after hearing the term "Nakba."
Aware of her dementia and her inability to retain recent information, we provided her with an overview of significant global events pertaining to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Despite her limited understanding, her reaction was one of shock, and she expressed feelings of distress, suggesting that the gravity of the situation was overwhelming.
It is clear that the actions initiated by Hamas on October 7, 2023, were misguided. The subsequent response from Israel, driven by anger, can also be deemed inappropriate.
As representatives of the media, we unequivocally condemn the actions of both parties.
Hamas's actions did not take into account the devastating impact on women, children, and the elderly, who have suffered greatly as a result of this conflict.
Currently, we are hearing narratives from Egypt, Jordan, and various African nations, and we firmly assert that "Man has no right to taketh what belongs to God." It is vital to remember that God remains sovereign over all matters.
