Gaza Strip
The Gaza Strip is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Egypt to the southwest and Israel to the east and north. Here are some key points about its history, geography, and current status:
Geography
- Location: Gaza Strip lies along the southeastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
- Area: It spans approximately 365 square kilometers (141 square miles).
- Population: Over 2 million people, making it one of the most densely populated areas in the world.
History
- Ancient Times: The area of Gaza has been inhabited for thousands of years, with historical records dating back to the time of the Ancient Egyptians.
- Islamic Conquest: In 635 CE, Gaza was captured by Muslim forces led by Amr ibn al-As.
- Ottoman Rule: From 1517 to 1917, Gaza was part of the Ottoman Empire.
- British Mandate: After World War I, the area came under British control as part of the Palestine Mandate in 1922.
- 1948 War: Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Egypt administered the Gaza Strip until 1967.
- Six-Day War: In 1967, Israel captured Gaza during the Six-Day War, leading to its occupation.
- First Intifada: The uprising in 1987-1993 brought international attention to the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.
- Oslo Accords: The Oslo Accords of 1993 and 1995 led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which was supposed to govern Gaza and parts of the West Bank.
- Israeli Disengagement: In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew its military forces and settlers from Gaza, though it retained control over its airspace, sea space, and borders.
- Hamas Takeover: In 2007, Hamas took control of Gaza after a brief conflict with the PA's Fatah party, leading to a political split with the West Bank.
Current Status
- Blockade: Since 2007, Israel and Egypt have imposed a blockade on Gaza, citing security concerns, which has severely restricted the movement of people and goods.
- Economy: The blockade and frequent conflicts have led to economic hardship, with high unemployment rates and poverty.
- Humanitarian Crisis: The situation has led to significant humanitarian issues, with limited access to electricity, water, and medical supplies.
- Political Situation: Hamas governs Gaza, but it is not recognized by all international actors as the legitimate government of the Palestinian territories.
International Involvement
- UNRWA: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) provides assistance to Palestinian refugees in Gaza.
- Peace Efforts: Various international efforts have been made to mediate conflicts and bring about peace, with varying degrees of success.
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