Ramallah: President of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), Ola Awad, presented a detailed review of the Palestinian population's conditions during the 77th Annual Commemoration of the Nakba. The Nakba, which resulted in the displacement of 957,000 Palestinians from their homes, has seen the Palestinian population grow nearly tenfold since the events of 1948.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Awad highlighted that the displacement impacted roughly 1.4 million Palestinians who were residing in 1,300 villages and towns at the time. Many of these displaced individuals found refuge in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and neighboring Arab countries, while others were forced out of their homes and lands that were subsequently seized.
Historical records indicate that the Israeli occupation took control of 774 towns and villages, destroying 531 Palestinian communities in the process. Awad noted that the Zionist forces committed over 70 massacres during this period, resulting in the martyrdom of over 15,000 Palestinians. The aggression initiated during the Nakba has persisted, with a significant escalation observed in the violence against Gaza Strip and the West Bank since October 7th, 2023.
The demographic landscape of historic Palestine has transformed significantly. In 1914, the region's population included 690,000 individuals with Jews comprising 8%. By 1948, the population had increased to over 2 million, with the Jewish community representing 31.5%. Between 1932 and 1947, approximately 318,000 Jews immigrated to Palestine, and since 1948, the number has grown by more than 3.3 million. Despite historical displacements, the Palestinian population in historic Palestine reached an estimated 7.4 million by mid-2025, matching the Israeli population according to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics.
The toll of conflict since 1948 has been severe, with over 154,000 Palestinian and Arab martyrs. The Al-Aqsa Intifada alone accounted for approximately 64,500 deaths. The recent Israeli occupation aggression on Gaza since October 2023 has resulted in more than 52,600 martyrs, including thousands of children and women. Furthermore, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported over 125,000 injuries, with many individuals still missing.
The situation in Gaza has led to the displacement of nearly 2 million Palestinians, forcing them into tents and temporary shelters. Hunger and thirst plague the besieged region, with over 2 million residents facing starvation. Severe malnutrition affects 65,000 people, and 335,000 children under five are on the brink of death. Water supply issues have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with individuals receiving only 3-5 liters of water per day, far below the minimum requirement.
Infrastructure damage in Gaza is extensive, with over 68,900 buildings destroyed and more than 330,000 housing units rendered uninhabitable, comprising over 70% of the total housing units in the area. The destruction extends to educational, medical, and religious facilities, as well as economic establishments, rendering Gaza an uninhabitable environment.
