The Great March of Return of 2018 was a large-scale Palestinian popular mobilisation in the Gaza Strip, which began on 30 March, on the occasion of Land Day, and continued for months with weekly demonstrations along the border with Israel.

Participation was broad, tens of thousands of people, and included families, young people and the elderly, in a form of resistance that was intended to be both symbolic and nonviolent, with two main demands: an end to the blockade imposed on Gaza and the recognition of the right of return of Palestinian refugees to the lands from which their families were expelled in 1948.

The Israeli army resorted to disproportionate and indiscriminate force, carrying out a violent repression of the protests and firing live ammunition at unarmed demonstrators, bystanders, journalists and medical personnel who did not pose an imminent threat.

This resulted in a devastating toll of civilian casualties in Gaza: hundreds killed and thousands injured, including children, women, journalists and healthcare workers. According to estimates, 223 Palestinians were killed during the protests, including 50 children and 6 women. A total of 30,398 people were injured, including 3,175 children and 1,008 women.

The international community, including the United Nations, condemned the use of lethal force by Israel. A United Nations General Assembly resolution of June 2018 denounced these actions. The use of military weapons against demonstrators who did not pose an imminent threat raised concerns about possible violations of international law, including the Geneva Conventions. Many of these cases have been considered potential war crimes.

To date, Israel has faced no direct consequences.

The Great March of Return of 2018 represented a collective moment of memory and assertion of identity: an attempt to make visible, before the world, a historical condition of exile, siege and absence of rights.

In vain.

Created for the project “return()” and the exhibition “Still Here.”