Cii Radio|Ayesha Ismail|15 May 2018| 28 Shabaan 1439
Yesterday saw Israeli forces firing on protests along the Gaza Strip’s border with Israel, killing 59 Palestinians and wounding more than 2,400. It also witnessed a ceremony in Jerusalem opening the United States’ controversial new embassy, sparking protests in the city and across the occupied West Bank.
Today is Nakba Day, the 70th anniversary of the Palestinians’ “Catastrophe”, when some 700,000 Palestinians were expelled or fled from their homes, 15,000 were killed and 418 towns and villages were ethnically cleansed or wiped off the map during the creation of the State of Israel in 1948.
This year is more auspicious than most, given it is now 70 years since the events of 1948, which fuelled many of the protests and marches across Palestine on Monday.
Today is also expected to be the culmination of the “Great March of Return” protests in Gaza, which have been running every Friday since 30 March and drawn live fire from Israeli soldiers along the border, killing several Palestinians before yesterday’s escalation.
After the violence witnessed on Monday, which was described as a “massacre” by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and “genocide” by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Gaza is now bracing itself for more protests and more killings.
Stores are shuttered and public servants are staying home in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem this morning as Palestinians mark the 70th anniversary of the Nakba.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has also called for the general strike to mourn at least 59 Palestinians who were killed by Israeli forces in Gaza yesterday.
Source – MEE