Millions of Palestinians at home and in the Diaspora on Sunday commemorated the 57th anniversary of the Nakba (catastrophe).

The term denotes the loss of Palestine to Zionism, the creation of Israel and the extirpation of the bulk of the Palestinian people from their historical homeland.

Sirens were sounded throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip and Palestinians were asked to stand silent for a minute in memory of the somber anniversary.

Moreover, marches, rallies and other activities were organized throughout the occupied Palestinian territories with speakers reasserting the commitment to the right of return.

Children, many of them descendants of the estimated 750,000 refugees expelled or forced to leave by Jewish forces in 1948, carried large keys symbolizing their clinging to the right of return to their former homes and villages in what is now Israel.

These homes have either been destroyed and obliterated by the Israeli authorities or are inhabited by Jewish immigrants from around the world.

In 1948, Israel nearly completely destroyed as many as 475 Palestinian towns and villages for the purpose of burying Palestinian history and memory for ever.

However, Palestinian yearning to returning to their former homes is still strong despite the passage of 57 years.

"This is the key to our home in Falluja, I won't give up my right to return to my home and my villages," said Ahmed Titi, a third-generation refugee, now living at the Fawwar refugee camp, 10 kilometers south West of Hebron.

"Even if they give us a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, we won't give up the right of return," he said.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) continues to publicly affirm its commitment to the right of return pursuant UN resolution no. 194, which calls for the repatriation of the refugees.

PA Prime Minister Ahmad Qrei did just that in a speech marking the sad anniversary.

"We shall not give up the right of return, and will continue to demand a just solution for refugees plight in accordance with UN resolution 194."

However, PA leaders privately recognize that the full implementation of the right of return is virtually impossible, given Israel's vehement rejection of it and US backing of the Israeli stance.

President Bush last year handed over Israeli Prime Ministers a set of assurances, including a pledge that the US would opposed Palestinian demands for the repatriation of the refugees to their original hometowns in what is now Israel.

Some Palestinian leaders, as most of the refugees, believe that the refugee plight shouldn't be linked to the subject of statehood.

"The refugees' problem should be considered on its own merits, it has nothing to do with the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Those people deserve to return to their original homes," said Azmi Shueibi, a Palestinian MP and former minister.

Speaking to PIC Sunday, Shueibi said the younger Palestinian generations were even committed to the right of return than the older generations.

"It would be very very difficult for any Palestinian government or leader to abandon the right of return. This is political suicide for any politician who dares say no the right of return."

Shuebi said though that the creation of a viable state on the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, would alleviate the refugees' ordeal.

"But it won't end the problem completely."