Palestine has been occupied by 'Israel' since 1948. Palestinians who are the indigenous people of the land, with deep-rooted connections to the villages, towns, and cities that existed long before the arrival of European Zionists. Under Ottoman rule, Palestinian society was largely agrarian, with a mix of Muslims, Christians, and a small Jewish community living together.

World War I: During the war, British forces captured Palestine from the Ottomans.

Balfour Declaration (1917): The British government issued the Balfour Declaration, which expressed support for "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people," while also stating that nothing should be done to prejudice the rights of existing non-Jewish communities. The Balfour Declaration is seen by Palestinians as a betrayal by the British, as it promised a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine without consulting the indigenous Arab population. This marked the beginning of what many Palestinians view as a period of foreign interference and colonialism.

(Credit: AFP)

Sirens sound in settlements around Gaza