Thousands of protesters are anticipated to gather in Washington, D.C. this Saturday to express their solidarity with the Palestinian people and call for an immediate halt to Israeli military actions in Gaza. The demonstration, marking the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, aims to shed light on the plight of Palestinians who were displaced or fled their homes during the creation of Israel in 1948.

Earlier this year, the National Mall witnessed an immense display of support for the Palestinian cause, as thousands of pro-Palestinian activists converged in one of the largest recent protests in the capital. This year's rally is driven by heightened anger and concern regarding the ongoing siege on Gaza.

The current tensions between Israel and Hamas escalated on October 7th when Hamas and other militants launched an incursion into southern Israel, resulting in the loss of approximately 1,200 lives and the taking of around 250 hostages. Currently, there are still approximately 100 individuals being held captive by Palestinian militants. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 35,000 people in Gaza have lost their lives as a result of the Israeli military's actions, with no distinction made between civilians and combatants.

The protest is also motivated by the recent violent crackdown on pro-Palestinian protest encampments at multiple university campuses across the country. Over the past weeks, authorities have dismantled longstanding encampments in more than 60 schools, including the vicinity of George Washington University near the White House.

In addition to demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza from Israel and the Biden administration, the demonstrators are expected to advocate for the right of return for Palestinian refugees. This demand has long been viewed as a red line by Israel in prior negotiations. After the Arab-Israeli war following the establishment of Israel, Palestinian refugees were denied the right to return, as it would have resulted in a Palestinian majority within Israel's borders. Consequently, they have become a permanent refugee community, now numbering around 6 million individuals, with many residing in impoverished urban refugee camps in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In Gaza, these refugees and their descendants constitute approximately 75% of the population.

As tensions persist and the conflict intensifies, this weekend's rally in Washington, D.C. is expected to serve as a platform for protesters to voice their grievances, call for an end to the violence, and advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people.