Articles - The setback of 1955, we will not forget, and we will not forgive

Today marks the 55th anniversary of "Al-Naksa" or "The Setback," also known as the "Six-Day War," during which the Israeli occupation army occupied the remaining parts of Palestine (the West Bank, Gaza), defeating the Arab armies (Egyptian, Syrian, Jordanian), as well as many Arab volunteer soldiers of different nationalities. They also occupied Sinai, Shebaa Farms, and the Golan Heights.

Close to half a million Palestinians were displaced, and approximately 15,000-25,000 Arabs were martyred.

Here are some images from Al-Naksa:

Jerusalem Airport:

A few months before the June 1967 war, a development plan began for Jerusalem Airport to expand and develop its infrastructure. However, Al-Naksa intervened, and "Palestine was denied the skies" until further notice.

An Israeli soldier leading a Jordanian soldier through the streets of Bethlehem in the aftermath of the war. He is one of 550 Jordanian soldiers captured during Al-Naksa.

The image shows an Israeli soldier vandalizing a sign at the entrance of the Al-Buraq Wall (Western Wall) in Jerusalem after its occupation following the setback.

One of the most painful aspects of the war was the fate of the Egyptian army. Between 10,000 and 15,000 Egyptian soldiers were killed in less than 132 hours. Some were crushed under tank treads, while others were buried alive.

Israeli soldiers celebrating at Al-Aqsa Mosque after their victory in the war, holding the flags of the defeated Arab armies.

This Egyptian newspaper was published at the time when the Israeli occupation army was advancing into Sinai after destroying the Egyptian air force.

You can imagine the shock of the Arab citizens after the end of the war.

A Palestinian refugee with her child.

A Palestinian refugee carrying his mother while attempting to cross a bridge over the Jordan River. The war led to the displacement of around a quarter of a million Palestinians.

Destroyed Egyptian aircraft in their hangars on June 5th.

Within less than 3 hours, Israel seized control of Egyptian airspace and destroyed 85% of the Egyptian fighter jets.

When the Zionist army occupied the city of Nablus, thousands of people greeted them with applause and waving their handkerchiefs, while the soldiers responded with smiles.

All of this ended when people realized that these forces were the enemy forces, not Iraqi forces as they had assumed, and then the streets emptied of people and sniping began.

The defeat of the Arab armies in the war led to the displacement of approximately 300,000 Palestinians.

There will come a day when the anniversary of the setback turns into a celebration of victory!!!

There will come a day when the anniversary of the setback turns into a celebration of victory!!! I will return, there is no choice but to return.

I will return no matter how difficult my ordeal may seem. (Fadwa Tuqan) |