78 years ago, the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, seen by many Palestinians as a national catastrophe, or "Nakba," tore through the Gaza Strip, resulting in mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians. However, 78 years later, many believe that the history repeats itself as the massive exodus, the tents, and the ruins have returned to the same land.
Palestinian resident Mohammad Said Abdullah El-Bairouti was forced to flee home as a child in 1948, but today, in his 90s, he finds himself living in a displacement camp, losing home for the second time.
Mohammad and his family now live at a tent in Gaza City shelters. The elderly man recalled that he originally lived with his parents in Jaffa, near Tel Aviv. After the outbreak of the war in 1948, his entire family of more than a dozen people was forced to flee, moving from place to place before finally reaching the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt.
Reaching into his memories, Mohammad pulled out a faded cloth bag containing items he had kept for decades: yellowed old photographs and his vocational training graduation certificate. Over the years, he managed to settle in Gaza. He married, had children, and worked hard to pay for their education.
However, the latest round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that erupted on October 7, 2023 has reduced his world to a tent once again.
"This round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has brought us unprecedented humiliation. We are now like primitive people thrown into the desert, without water, food, and shelter. We have suffered greatly in our lives. Displaced people have no dignity," he said.
Twice-displaced Palestinian in Gaza says current war reminds him of 1948 "Nakba"
Twice-displaced Palestinian in Gaza says current war reminds him of 1948 "Nakba"
French protesters taking to the streets nationwide say they are growing increasingly frustrated and angry about the future as they struggle with the rising cost of living, deteriorating educational facilities and poor public services.
Nationwide demonstrations erupted in France on Oct 17, with the government estimating that approximately 550,000 people had participated across the country, while organizers claimed the figure reached 800,000.
In many cities, the protests escalated into violent unrest. In Paris, vehicles were set ablaze and shops were vandalized, while public facilities in several other cities also sustained varying degrees of damage.
The mass protests were initially triggered by students dissatisfied with a lack of educational resources and the poor condition of school facilities.
They were later joined by groups such as farmers and urban residents frustrated by rising energy prices, the high cost of living and declining public services.
Last week, protests in Marseille, France's second-largest city, descended into widespread violence.
On Oct 22, authorities in the Bouches-du-Rhone department, where Marseille is located, announced a ban on all protests across the department, including the southern port city, effective Oct 24.
High school students in Marseille say rising living costs and deteriorating school conditions are among the reasons they have taken to the streets.
"The price of gasoline and life itself have become too expensive. We have to protest, for the future, for ourselves and for our lives in the future," said Pablo Marez, a high school student.
"Overcrowding in classes, rats in classes. Walls in classes just don't stand up anymore. The heating doesn't work. During summer, it was way too hot," said Jenna, another high school student.
Observers said the protesters' demands highlight a series of governance challenges facing France, including a fiscal crisis, pressure on the welfare system and political polarization. With the 2027 presidential election approaching, some protesters say they see no candidate capable of turning the situation around.
"Currently, I don't see anyone who is capable of changing the situation in a country like France. I don't believe the answer lies in turning to the extremes or to the extremist parties -- whether it's the extreme right or the extreme left. People are becoming increasingly angry. We saw this on Saturday, October 17, and unfortunately, things are likely to get even worse in two days," said Jerome Borgeot, a social worker who works with homeless people in Marseille.
French protesters grow increasingly disillusioned about future amid nationwide demonstrations
