Gaza displacement: The Catastrophe of Century

Observer

13-02-2025

More than seven decades have passed, yet the memory of the Nakba of 1948 remains vivid. The events that led up to that fateful day — plans for settlement, mass displacement, and the subsequent massacres — have continued unabated, culminating in the latest war on Gaza.
A defenseless people, besieged for no reason other than their claim to their homeland, are being uprooted to make way for those with no historical ties to it. The justification lies in religious myths and political ambitions, exacerbated by a divided Arab stance that weakens further with each passing day.
Today, we witness a fresh tragedy unfolding. The Oslo II Accord of 1995 divided the Palestinian territories into three categories: Area A, under full Palestinian control; Area B, where administration is Palestinian but security remains under Israeli authority; and Area C, entirely under Israeli control, allowing for continuous settlement expansion. Jerusalem was designated as part of Area A but with Palestinian control limited strictly to administrative matters. This arrangement left Gaza as the only semblance of an independent Palestinian entity, though it has been under a political and economic blockade since 2007.
Following the events of 7 October 2023, Gaza has suffered a genocide of unprecedented scale, backed by major global powers. The objective is clear: to eliminate the largest independent Palestinian presence. This sheds light on the underlying intent behind recent statements, such as those from former US President Donald Trump, suggesting the forced depopulation of Gaza to pave the way for Jewish-Israeli settlement. This marks the beginning of a new catastrophe in the 21st century.
More than two million people in Gaza now face an unparalleled humanitarian crisis, enduring starvation, indiscriminate killings, and systematic displacement. Unlike historical instances of ethnic cleansing carried out discreetly, today's displacement is openly pursued, seemingly daring the Arab world to react. With an emergency Arab summit scheduled for 27 February, the question remains: will this gathering achieve more than mere words of condemnation, or will it, like its predecessors, fail to translate rhetoric into decisive action?
The fall of Gaza and the expulsion of its inhabitants would mark the effective demise of the Palestinian cause. However, this would not signal an end but rather the beginning of an expansionist agenda, driven by messianic and imperialist ambitions. Beyond Gaza, these plans threaten Egypt and neighbouring countries, aiming to keep the Arab world fragmented and in perpetual turmoil. Such conditions create an ideal environment for external forces to seize control over the region and exploit its resources.
The only viable countermeasure is a decisive and practical response that challenges America's policy shift and halts the erasure of Gaza. This is not solely a humanitarian concern but a matter of Arab security, extending from the Gulf to the Atlantic. The displacement of Gaza's population is not an isolated crisis confined to a small geographic area; it is an Arab catastrophe in every sense, with far-reaching implications. Western and Zionist ambitions will not stop at geographical expansion; they seek total dominance over the heart of the Arab world, stripping it of its moral and civilisational significance.
This crisis represents a turning point, both as a global humanitarian issue and an Arab security dilemma. The parallels between the Nakba of 1948 and the present catastrophe are undeniable, yet the circumstances differ. A century has passed, providing ample time for the Arab world to understand the strategies of its adversaries and anticipate their objectives.
Unlike the early 20th century, today's Arab populations are more educated, politically aware, and globally connected. The region has experienced numerous struggles and socio-political transformations, evolving from localised conflicts to exerting influence on a global stage.
Authors such as Israel Shahak and Norton Mezvinsky, in Jewish Fundamentalism in Israel, highlight how Israel controls international media narratives. This extends to how war crimes, settlement expansion, and forced displacement are framed, particularly in Western coverage. Yet, the rise of alternative media has begun to counter this monopoly, despite persistent attempts to silence dissenting voices. Today, leftist and progressive movements globally are increasingly aligning against far-right extremism, ensuring that critical perspectives on Israel's actions are no longer confined to ideological silos.
Given these realities, Arab governments must recognise that the historical moment they are witnessing presents a rare opportunity. The heightened international awareness of Gaza's plight must be leveraged to halt the genocide and expedite the establishment of a truly independent Palestinian state. This is crucial not only for the dignity and rights of displaced people but also for the long-term stability of the region.
The ongoing war on Gaza has exposed deep fractures within Israel and its Western allies, revealing internal political turmoil and a reliance on assassination campaigns and civilian massacres rather than strategic victories. If the current momentum—both globally and within the Arab world—is not harnessed effectively, future generations will judge today's inaction harshly. History has shown that missed opportunities carry lasting consequences. The time for decisive action is now, before another century is lost to the same cycle of displacement, oppression, and resistance.
Translated by Badr al Dhafari. The original version of the article appeared in Oman Arabic on February 12, 2025.