Gaza has a long and turbulent history, particularly highlighted by the events that transpired following the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This assault resulted in the tragic loss of approximately 1,200 lives, predominantly civilians, and around 250 individuals being taken hostage. The incident precipitated a severe Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which has only recently reached an uneasy ceasefire.
In the wake of the violence, former President Donald Trump proposed the controversial idea of resettling the displaced Palestinians from Gaza outside the region, suggesting that the U.S. should take "ownership" of the situation. This remark may reignite tensions regarding the future of Gaza, a region that has been a focal point of conflict for decades.
The modern history of the Gaza Strip dates back to 1948 – 1967 when it was under Egyptian control. In this period, following the war that led to Israel's establishment, around 700,000 Palestinians were displaced, a calamity they refer to as the Nakba. Gaza became a refuge for many of these uprooted individuals, yet they remained homeless and stateless, with no avenue for return to their original homes. Palestinian refugees in Gaza were largely dependent on support from UNRWA, the agency established to assist them, as they faced severe limitations on their rights and mobility.
From 1967 to 1993, Israel seized control of Gaza during the Six-Day War, alongside the capture of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This period saw the establishment of over 20 Jewish settlements in Gaza, alongside a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, which later influenced Egypt's policy towards Palestinian refugees. The first Palestinian uprising, or intifada, began in December 1987, highlighting the struggle against Israeli occupation and leading to the formation of Hamas in Gaza.
The period from 1993 to 2005 marked attempts at peace with the Oslo Accords, forged between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, which aimed to establish a framework for peace and a two-state solution. However, numerous suicide attacks, political assassinations, and a resurgence of violence hindered these efforts, culminating in a second intifada in 2000 and Israel's unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005.
After Israel’s disengagement, Hamas triumphed in parliamentary elections and subsequently seized control from the rival Fatah party. The ensuing blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, characterized by economic devastation and skyrocketing unemployment rates. Hamas's military capabilities expanded in the following conflicts, leading to increasingly lethal confrontations with Israeli forces.
The conflict escalated dramatically with the Hamas attack in October 2023, leading to widespread destruction in Gaza. As of late 2023, Israeli air and ground operations resulted in over 47,000 Palestinian fatalities, with a significant proportion being women and children. The war displaced around 90% of the population, leaving vast parts of Gaza in ruins.
Negotiations surrounding a temporary ceasefire began in January 2024, which included provisions for the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. As the ceasefire took hold, Israeli forces retreated from many areas, allowing some displaced Palestinians to return home as humanitarian aid began to flow into the region. Ongoing discussions about further hostages and the potential for a more permanent resolution continued into 2024, with mediators from the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt playing crucial roles.
