Gaza Strip

Latest Context:

The ongoing tensions between the Israel and Hamas militants has again bring the Gaza Strip into the limelight.

About Gaza Strip

1. Geography: 

• It is a small, densely populated territory located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Israel to the east and north and by Egypt to the south.
• It is approximately 360 square kms (139 square miles) in size, making it one of the most densely populated areas in the world. The term "open air prison" is widely used for Gaza.
• It has a 40-kilometer coastline along the Mediterranean Sea.

2. Population: The population is estimated to be around 2 million people.

3. History: 

• It has a long and highly complex history. It was part of Mandatory Palestine under British rule until 1948, when the State of Israel was established. Following the Arab-Israeli War of 1948, Egypt administered the Gaza Strip, and it remained under Egyptian control until the Six-Day War in 1967, when Israel captured the territory. In 2005, Israel withdrew its settlements from the Gaza.
• Since 2007, it has been under the control of the Islamist group Hamas and from then only Israel and Egypt enforced a permanent blockade, justifying it as necessary for security.

4. Economy: The economy of the Gaza Strip has been severely impacted by the blockade, which restricts the movement of people and goods in and out of the territory and this has created a situation of high unemployment and poverty rates. Agriculture and fishing are important economic activities in Gaza, but they have also been significantly affected by the blockade.
5. Infrastructure: The infrastructure has been strained due to the blockade and the frequent conflicts in the region. Access to basic necessities such as clean water, electricity, and medical services is limited.
6. International Relations: The international community, including the United Nations, has been involved in efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and promote peace in the region. Various ceasefire agreements have been brokered to reduce violence, but long-term stability remains a challenge.
7. Related Border Areas: Basically, the Gaza is encircled by walls on 3 sides, and its western border is controlled by Israel, restricting access by sea. Three functional border crossings exist and these are: Karem Abu Salem Crossing and Erez Crossing controlled by Israel, and Rafah Crossing controlled by Egypt but these crossings have been sealed in response to recent hostilities.

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