History of the Gaza Strip

The history of the Gaza Strip refers to the history of the Gaza Strip, mainly since the end of Mandatory Palestine. This area has been the center of many important events over the years. For the history of Gaza City specifically, see History of Gaza. The Gaza Strip has seen changes in who controls it and has been a place where many people have lived through difficult times. Understanding its history helps us know why events there are important today.

Before 1948

The Gaza Strip was once part of the Palestine region. In the 16th century, it was ruled by the Ottoman Empire. In 1906, the Ottomans and the British Empire agreed on the area's border with Egypt. After World War I, Britain took control of the area. From 1920 to 1948, it was part of what was called "Mandatory Palestine". During this time, villages along the coast grew, and farming became more important.

1948–1959: All-Palestine government

Main articles: All-Palestine Protectorate and All-Palestine Government

During the 1948 Palestine war and the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, many people from Palestine moved to the Gaza Strip. By the end of the war, many of these people lived in Gaza, even though the area was small.

In 1948, some leaders in Gaza created a government called the All-Palestine Government. This happened while Egypt controlled the area. Many countries supported this new government, but it did not have much power or money. Later, during a conflict in 1956 called the Suez Crisis, Israeli forces entered Gaza but left after pressure from other countries. The All-Palestine Government eventually stopped operating in 1959.

1956–1957: Israeli occupation

Main article: Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip

Palestinians in an outdoor market in the Gaza Strip in 1956

Further information: Suez Crisis

In 1956, during a conflict called the Suez Crisis, Israel entered Gaza and nearby areas. There were fights between soldiers, and some towns were taken. After the fighting, many people were hurt or sadly lost their lives. Israel stayed in control for a short time before leaving in 1957 because of pressure from other countries.

1959–1967: Egyptian occupation

Main article: Occupation of the Gaza Strip by Egypt

In 1959, Egypt took control of Gaza until 1967. Egypt ran the area with a military leader but did not make it part of their country. Many people came to Gaza after they had to leave their homes during a war in 1948. This made it hard for people to find jobs, and Egypt made it difficult for people to move in or out of Gaza.

1967: Israeli occupation

Main article: Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip

In June 1967, during a big war called the Six-Day War, Israeli forces took control of Gaza. After this, many people faced serious problems because of the new control.

From 1967 to 1968, many people were moved away from their homes in Gaza. Over time, Israel built areas where its people could live in Gaza. This took up space that belonged to others. This made it hard for families to live normally and work, especially in farming.

1987: First Intifada

Main article: First Intifada

The First Intifada was a time of protests by Palestinians in places controlled by Israel, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. It started in December 1987 after an accident where an Israeli army truck hit a car. This made many Palestinians very upset. People showed their feelings through strikes, boycotts, and peaceful actions. The Intifada went on until 1991 and showed how many Palestinians felt about being under Israeli control.

1994: Gaza under Palestinian Authority

In May 1994, the Oslo Accords were signed. These agreements changed leadership in the Gaza Strip. Many parts of Gaza were managed by a new group called the Palestinian Authority, with Gaza City as its main office. Israeli forces moved out of city areas, allowing the Palestinian Authority to take over safety and daily life there.

Later, in September 1995, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization signed another agreement. This helped the Palestinian Authority expand its control to more towns in the West Bank. Israel also built a barrier near Gaza to help keep people safe. This barrier was torn down when fighting began again in September 2000.

2000: Second Intifada

Main article: Second Intifada

The Second Intifada was a big uprising by Palestinians in areas occupied by Israel and in Israel. It began after peace talks failed in July 2000. Violence started in September 2000 when an Israeli leader, Ariel Sharon, visited a holy place in Jerusalem. This visit led to protests and riots.

During this time, there were many fights and attacks. Many people were hurt or lost their lives. Israel built barriers to control movement between Gaza and Israel and between Gaza and Egypt. These barriers made it hard for people to travel in and out of Gaza.

2005: Israel's unilateral disengagement

Main article: Israeli disengagement from Gaza

Neve Dekalim was Gush Katif's urban center and its largest community

In 2005, Israel left the Gaza Strip and took down its settlements. Israel also left the Philadelphi Route, a narrow area near the border with Egypt. Egypt agreed to guard its side of the border after the Agreement on Movement and Access, called the Rafah Agreement. After this, the Gaza Strip was managed by the Palestinian Authority.

2006: Hamas takeover

Main article: Fatah–Hamas conflict

Gaza City skyline, 2007

In January 2006, elections were held in the Gaza Strip. A group called Hamas won many seats. After Hamas took control, some countries stopped giving money to help the people. This made life harder for many, and some people decided to leave.

Fighting began between Hamas and another group, Fatah, in early 2007. There were many battles and sadly, some people were hurt or lost their lives. This made it difficult for everyone to live peacefully.

2007: Fatah–Hamas conflict

Main articles: Battle of Gaza (2007) and Fatah–Hamas conflict

After elections in 2006, Hamas and Fatah shared power together. But in June 2007, Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip during a fight called the Battle of Gaza. They took over key buildings and put their own leaders in charge. By June 14, Hamas fully controlled the area. In response, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas declared a state of emergency and formed a new government without Hamas. Security forces in the West Bank arrested some Hamas members.

Gaza City in 2007

Later, in January 2008, Hamas broke parts of the wall between Gaza and Egypt at Rafah. Many people from Gaza crossed into Egypt to find food and supplies. Egyptian troops let them in but checked to make sure they didn’t bring weapons back. This caused more tensions and conflicts in the area.

2008–2009: Gaza War

Main article: Gaza War (2008–2009)

In December 2008, Israeli F-16 planes attacked places in Gaza. This happened because Israel and Hamas were not following a peace agreement. Israel sent soldiers into Gaza in January 2009. They attacked places they thought were used to store weapons.

Israel said they did this because Hamas had been sending rockets into southern Israel. They told people near these places to leave before the attacks. Many buildings and homes were damaged or destroyed during the 22-day conflict. Many people lost their homes, and some places like hospitals and farms were hurt. The people of Gaza still feel the effects of this today.

2014: Gaza War

In June 2014, two groups, Fatah and Hamas, signed an agreement to work together.

The 2014 Gaza War, also called Operation Protective Edge, began when Israel started a military operation in the Gaza Strip on July 8, 2014. This happened after three Israeli teenagers were taken by people from Hamas in the West Bank. Israel arrested many Hamas members, and Hamas fired rockets into Israel. This led to a seven-week conflict with many sad events. It was one of the serious fights between Israel and the Palestinians in many years. Both sides suffered losses during this time.

2018–2019: Great March of Return

Main article: Great March of Return

In 2018–2019, people in the Gaza Strip held protests near the border with Israel. They wanted to return to lands they came from long ago and protested limits on moving in and out of the area. Most people showed up peacefully far from the border. A group checked what happened and asked the country in charge to look into mistakes that were made.

2021: Israel–Palestine crisis

Before the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, many people in Gaza had trouble finding jobs, and half of the families did not have enough money. During this hard time, some children sadly died. After the crisis, leaders from many countries came to help fix things and support the people of Gaza.

Another escalation between 5 and 8 August 2022 damaged some homes and made some families leave their houses because of airstrikes.

2023–2025: Gaza war

Main articles: Gaza war, Outline of the Gaza war, October 7 attacks, Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, Proposed Israeli resettlement of the Gaza Strip, and Gaza genocide

In October 2023, fighters from Gaza attacked places in nearby Israel. This led to many deaths and some people being captured.

Israel responded by starting a war. They also stopped sending supplies like electricity and food to Gaza. Later, some aid was allowed in.

The war caused damage and made life very hard for people in Gaza. Many had to leave their homes. There were injuries and deaths, and some people felt that the actions taken were very harmful. The war went on through 2025, with times when fighting stopped and then started again.

2025–present: Gaza peace plan and Resolution 2803

In October 2025, Israel and Hamas agreed to a plan to bring peace. This stopped fighting in the Gaza War and some Israeli forces left parts of the Gaza Strip. Later steps in the plan included sending an International Stabilization Force to help keep things calm. New groups like a Board of Peace and a National Committee for the Administration of Gaza were meant to help manage the area until the Palestinian Authority could take over again.