A History of Conflict, Displacement, and Uncertain Future

A Summary

The Gaza Strip, a densely populated territory wedged between Israel and Egypt, has a long and tumultuous history marked by conflict and displacement.

Prior to Israel's establishment in 1948, Gaza was under British colonial rule. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Egypt gained control of the Gaza Strip, while hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes in what became Israel. These refugees, along with their descendants, settled in Gaza, creating a densely populated and stateless community.

During the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured Gaza from Egypt, along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel established settlements in Gaza and signed a peace treaty with Egypt, which restricted the movement of Palestinians between Gaza and Egypt.

The first Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation erupted in Gaza in 1987, leading to the establishment of Hamas, an Islamic militant group. Despite promising peace talks in the 1990s, the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and the election of Benjamin Netanyahu stalled progress.

In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza, dismantling settlements and relocating its citizens. Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, leading to a violent takeover of Gaza from the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority. Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza, severely impacting the local economy and fueling militancy.

Through subsequent wars and smaller battles with Israel, Hamas has grown in power, acquiring more advanced weaponry and extending the range of its rockets. The October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people and the capture of hundreds of hostages, triggered a devastating Israeli military operation in Gaza. The war has left thousands dead, displaced millions, and caused widespread destruction.

A ceasefire agreement reached in January 2024 has brought a temporary halt to the fighting. However, negotiations on a permanent solution are ongoing, and the future of Gaza remains uncertain. The Trump administration's proposal to resettle displaced Palestinians outside Gaza and grant the U.S. control over the territory has sparked further tension and raises questions about the long-term prospects for peace in the region.