Skip links

Skip to Content
play

Live

Navigation menu

  • News
    • Middle East
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Ukraine war
  • Features
  • Economy
  • Opinion
  • Video
    • Coronavirus
    • Climate Crisis
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Science & Technology
    • Sports
    • Podcasts
play

Live

In Pictures

Gallery|Al-Nakba

Nakba: ‘Day of Catastrophe’ observed by Palestinians 

Palestinians commemorate Nakba Day and protest the killings of more than 60 people in Gaza throughout the West Bank.

A Palestinian girl carries a wooden key with written on it "Return", Budrus. The right of return of Palestinian refugees is enshrined in by the UN General Assembly Resolution 194 passed on 11 December
A Palestinian girl carries a wooden key with "Return" written on it in the West Bank village of Budrus. The right of return of Palestinian refugees is enshrined in the UN General Assembly Resolution 194 passed on December 11, 1948. It is estimated the number of Palestinian refugees exceeds four million. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
By Anne Paq
Published On 16 May 201816 May 2018
facebooktwitterwhatsapp

For seven decades, Palestinians have commemorated the Nakba, or “Catastrophe, when the ethnic cleansing of more than 700,000 Palestinians took place along with the destruction of more than 500 villages.

The Nakba commemoration this year marked 70 years of dispossession of the refugees – now numbering in the millions – who are still waiting for their right of return.

The commemoration occurred a day after the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem, which triggered protests across the country.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces killed more than 60 people and wounded thousands of others after opening live fire and shooting tear gas canisters at the protesters.

In the West Bank village of Budrus, residents walked towards the Israeli separation barrier calling for the right of return.

Community organiser Ayed Morrar told Al Jazeera the protest was organised “to show support to the people who were killed in cold blood yesterday in the Gaza Strip”.

“We also protested to refuse the US decision to transfer the embassy to Jerusalem, because Jerusalem is our capital,” Morrar said. “Our right to return to our homes is still alive, and we will never forget it.”

After some Palestinian youth managed to break down parts of the separation barrier, Israeli soldiers began firing tear gas.

Soldiers then entered the village cemetery and began shooting rubber-coated steel bullets at the Palestinian stone-throwers.

In Ramallah, several Palestinians were wounded, including a medic, after the Israeli army fired live ammunition, tear gas, and rubber-coated steel rounds.

A young man passes in front of closed shops in Ramallah. est bank, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Nakba, and protest the killings that took place in the Gaza Strip the day before.
A young man walks in front of shops in Ramallah that are closed to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Nakba and protest the killings that took place in the Gaza Strip. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Palestinians march with banners, Palestinian and black flags during a demonstration for Nakba Day and in solidarity for Gaza, in the West bank village of Budrus.
Palestinians march with banners and black flags during a demonstration for Nakba Day in the West Bank village of Budrus. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
A Palestinian youth throws stones at an Israeli jeep after he broke the Israeli barrier here constituted by a series of barwire and electric fences, Budrus.
A Palestinian youth throws stones at an Israeli jeep after he broke through the Israeli barrier in Budrus. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
The village of Budrus has been known for its unarmed resistance, and has regularly organised protests against the Israel Wall and occupation since 2003. The villagers succeeded in diverting the separa
Budrus is known for its unarmed resistance and has regularly organised protests against the Israeli wall and occupation since 2003. The villagers succeeded in diverting the separation wall from its original path, saving their olive trees and almost all of the land that would have been annexed by Israel. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Palestinians use burned tire to obstruct the view of the Israeli snippers during clashes near the Bet El Israeli compound and settlement, North of Ramallah.
Palestinians use burning tyres to obstruct the view of Israeli snipers during clashes near the Bet El Israeli settlement north of Ramallah. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
A Palestinian youth smokes during clashes for Nakba Day. The clashes lasted for hours. Due to the proximity with Ramallah, the area near Beit El settlement and compound is regularly the theater of cla
A Palestinian youth smokes during protests on Nakba Day. The area near the Beit El settlement and compound is regularly the scene of violence. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
An Israeli soldier points his riffle towards the Palestinian protesters (unseen).
An Israeli soldier points his rifle at Palestinian protesters. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Palestinian medic react to shootings by Israeli forces.
Palestinian medics react to shooting by Israeli forces. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Palestinians carry a medic injured by Israeli forces during the clashes.
Palestinians carry a wounded medic during the protests. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
There were many protests and clashes accross the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip and Israel to mark the 70th anniversary of the Nakba but also to protest the death toll in the Gaza Strip from th
There were many protests and clashes across the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip and Israel to mark the 70th anniversary of the Nakba. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
According to the Ministry of health, 27 people were injured in the West Bank protests. One is in serious condition after havong been shot in the back during the clashes near Beit El settlement.
According to the Ministry of Health, 27 people were injured in the West Bank protests. One is in serious condition after being shot in the back during clashes near the Beit El settlement. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Palestinians shout slogans and burn tires during clashes for Nakba Day near Beit El settlement.
Palestinians shout slogans and burn tyres during protests on Nakba Day near the Beit El settlement. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
A Palestinian youth covers his face with a Tshirt with the portrait of Palestinian author Ghassan Kanafani and a leading member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Many Pales
A Palestinian youth covers his face with a T-shirt with the portrait of Palestinian author Ghassan Kanafani - a leading member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Palestinian youth enjoy swinging during a moment of quiet amidts the clashes.
Palestinian youths enjoy swinging during a moment of quiet amid the violence. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]


    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Sitemap
    • Community Guidelines
    • Work for us
    • HR Quality
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Apps
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners

Follow Al Jazeera English:

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram-colored-outline
  • rss
Al Jazeera Media Network logo
© 2023 Al Jazeera Media Network