Gaza

Gaza
Name	Gaza
Native name	غَزَّة
Population total	~590,000 (city, 2017 est.)
Population density km2	auto
Area total km2	45
Elevation m	14
Coordinates	31, 31, N, 34...

Gaza. A major coastal city and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited urban centers, located on the Mediterranean Sea at the crossroads of Asia and Africa. Governed by Hamas since 2007, it forms a central part of the Palestinian territories and is the principal city of the Gaza Strip, a densely populated territory that has been the focal point of prolonged Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Its deep history encompasses rule by ancient Egyptians, Philistines, Assyria, Alexander the Great, the Roman Empire, and later the Umayyad Caliphate, Crusaders, Mamluk Sultanate, and the Ottoman Empire before modern developments.

History

Archaeological evidence indicates settlement dating to the Bronze Age, with the city mentioned in records of Pharaoh Thutmose III and the Amarna letters. It was a prominent Philistine city-state, famously featured in the Hebrew Bible narrative of Samson. Successively conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III, then by Babylon and the Achaemenid Empire, it later resisted Alexander the Great during a famous siege. Under the Hasmonean dynasty, it was captured by Alexander Jannaeus. The city flourished as a trade hub under the Roman Empire and Byzantine Empire, witnessed the arrival of early Christianity, and was an important stop for pilgrims traveling to the Saint Catherine's Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula. Following the Muslim conquest of the Levant, it became a key center under the Rashidun Caliphate, Umayyad Caliphate, and Abbasid Caliphate. The Crusades saw its capture by Baldwin III of Jerusalem, after which it was fortified by the Knights Templar. It later thrived as a provincial capital under the Mamluk Sultanate and was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in 1516, remaining under its control until the end of World War I. During the British Mandate for Palestine, it was a center of Palestinian Arab life. Following the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, it came under Egyptian occupation until its capture by Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967. The city became a focal point during the First Intifada and later saw the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority after the Oslo Accords. Since 2007, it has been under the administration of Hamas, leading to a prolonged Blockade of the Gaza Strip and several major conflicts with Israel, including Operation Cast Lead, Operation Pillar of Defense, Operation Protective Edge, and the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.

Geography and climate

Situated on the Mediterranean coastline, the city lies on a plain adjacent to the Negev desert. Its terrain is generally flat, with sandy soils. The climate is classified as hot-summer Mediterranean, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters, with precipitation primarily falling between November and March. The city is part of the larger Gaza Strip, a narrow territory bordered by Israel to the north and east and Egypt to the southwest via the Rafah Border Crossing.

Demographics and society

The population is overwhelmingly composed of Palestinian Sunni Muslims, with a very small historical Christian community. It is one of the most densely populated urban areas globally. A significant portion of the population consists of Palestinian refugees and their descendants, many registered with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Major clans and families, such as the al-Husseini and Shawa, have historically played important social roles. The Islamic University of Gaza is a major higher education institution.

Economy and infrastructure

Historically an important trading port due to its location on the Via Maris, the modern economy has been severely constrained by the blockade and repeated conflicts. Key sectors include small-scale manufacturing, agriculture, and textiles. The economy relies heavily on international aid from organizations like UNRWA and the European Union. Infrastructure, including the Gaza Power Plant, water networks managed by the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility, and the Gaza International Airport (non-operational since 2001), has suffered extensive damage. The Port of Gaza has limited capacity, and movement of people and goods is controlled through crossings like the Erez Crossing and Kerem Shalom border crossing.

Governance and politics

De facto administrative control has been held by the Hamas government since it seized power from the Fatah-led Palestinian National Authority in 2007. This led to a political division with the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority and resulted in Israel and Egypt imposing a land, air, and sea blockade. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) historically represented Palestinian interests internationally. The United Nations has passed numerous resolutions concerning the territory, and the International Committee of the Red Cross maintains a significant presence.

Culture and landmarks

The city contains several historical sites, including the Great Mosque of Gaza, originally a Philistine temple, later a Byzantine church and then a mosque. Other landmarks are the Saint Porphyrius Church, one of the world's oldest active churches, and the Qasr al-Basha, a former Mamluk fort. The Gaza Museum of Archaeology displays artifacts from various eras. Cultural life includes the annual Gaza International Festival and contributions from figures like the poet Muin Bseiso. Traditional cuisine, such as maqluba, and the distinctive Gaza embroidery are notable cultural elements.

Category:Gaza Category:Cities in the State of Palestine Category:Populated places in the Gaza Strip