From Nakba to genocide: A Gaza grandmother’s lifetime of loss and resilience

From Nakba to genocide: A Gaza grandmother’s lifetime of loss and resilience Submitted by Maha Hussaini on Fri, 05/15/2026 - 07:56 At 95, Fatema Obaid has survived two massive Israeli assaults, lost 70 family members and endured starvation and repeated forced flight - but still refuses to leave her homeland Fatema Obaid, 95, says the current genocide in Gaza is worse than the 1948 Nakba (Hani Abu Rezeq/MEE) Off At 95, Fatema Obaid has endured daily Israeli bombardment, starvation and the loss of 70 family members. Yet the Palestinian grandmother, who survived the 1948 Nakba , refused to leave Gaza City when ordered to do so by the Israeli military during the 2023 genocide. For her, fleeing again would mark the beginning of a “crueller Nakba” - one she refuses to relive.