This year marks the 77th anniversary of the Nakba, the mass expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in what is now Israel, a traumatic event central to their national struggle.

For many Palestinians, the ongoing crisis in Gaza mirrors this history, particularly after US President Donald Trump's suggestion that displaced Palestinians in Gaza be permanently resettled outside the territory, with the US assuming control of the enclave.

The Nakba of 1948 saw over 700,000 Palestinians flee or were driven from their homes during the Arab-Israeli war, leading to a refugee community that now numbers approximately 6 million across the Middle East.

Israel has long rejected the right of return for Palestinian refugees, which has remained a core grievance.

This issue was a major obstacle in past peace negotiations and remains unresolved.

Now, with over 1.7 million Palestinians displaced from Gaza due to the ongoing conflict, many fear a repeat of the Nakba on an even larger scale.

As Palestinian families return to their destroyed homes, the images evoke memories of the 1948 mass evacuations.

Mustafa Al-Gazzar, a Palestinian in his 80s, recalled his family's flight in 1948 and the subsequent displacement during the current Gaza conflict.

The conditions in Gaza are reportedly worse than those in 1948, with far fewer resources available, and many Palestinians are concerned about their future in the region.

Israel has closed its border, and Egypt has allowed only a limited number of Palestinians to leave Gaza.

Israel maintains that Palestinian refugees should be absorbed into host countries, arguing that their return would undermine the Jewish-majority state.

The destruction in Gaza is so severe that some estimate it will take until 2040 to rebuild the homes.

The prospect of a massive international effort to rebuild the region seems increasingly uncertain.