Gaza Strip Unveiled: Who Holds the Reigns? Here's What You Need to Know!

The Gaza Strip, a region steeped in a history of conflict and suffering, once again found itself at the center of a harrowing episode of violence in a recent flare-up of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

• Historical Background: The Gaza Strip is a narrow strip of land situated between Israel and Egypt along the Mediterranean Sea. It has a rich history of being under Ottoman and British control and is one of the two Palestinian territories, the other being the West Bank.
• Post-1948 Developments: After Israel's creation in 1948, Egypt controlled Gaza for nearly two decades. However, Israel gained control of both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank after the 1967 Six-Day War.
• Israeli Withdrawal: In 2005, Israel withdrew its military forces and around 9,000 settlers from Gaza, leaving it under the governance of the Palestinian Authority.

Current Governance and Control

• Hamas Emergence: Hamas, a militant Palestinian nationalist movement, gained control of Gaza following its electoral victory in 2006. No elections have been held since then.
• Israeli Blockade: Israel, with support from Egypt, has maintained a land, air, and sea blockade on Gaza since 2007. Israel cites security concerns, while international bodies consider the blockade illegal.

Understanding Hamas and Its Role

• Hamas Origins: Founded in 1987 as an uprising against Israeli occupation, Hamas started as a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and advocates for Islamist principles in politics.
• Terrorist Designation: Many countries, including the U.S. and the U.K., designate Hamas as a terrorist organization due to its attacks on Israel. However, it also provides social services in Gaza.
• Complex Palestinian Sentiments: Hamas's actions divide Palestinians and their supporters, as some see it as a freedom-fighting movement while others are critical of its use of violence.

Living Conditions in Gaza

• Open-Air Prison Analogy: Human Rights Watch has likened Gaza to an "open-air prison" due to the severe restrictions on movement enforced by Israel.
• Economic Devastation: The 16-year blockade has led to a collapsed economy in Gaza, with high unemployment rates, poverty, and food insecurity.
• Mental Health Challenges: A U.N. report highlights the long-term psychological effects of constant exposure to violence, including depression, among young people in Gaza.

Recent Escalation and Future Uncertainty

• Recent Conflict: A surprise Hamas attack has led to escalating violence, with hundreds of casualties on both sides. The possibility of an Israeli ground invasion looms, with Hamas vowing resistance.
• Humanitarian Concerns: Conditions for civilians in Gaza are expected to worsen, adding to the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.

In summary, the Gaza Strip is a region with a complex history, governed by Hamas and subjected to a prolonged Israeli blockade, resulting in significant hardships for its population. The recent escalation of violence has raised further concerns about the well-being of civilians in the area.

Also Read: Over 1,000 Lives Lost as Israel-Hamas Conflict Continues to Escalate

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