Gaza

Gaza, commonly referring to the Gaza Strip, is a Palestinian territory along the eastern Mediterranean Sea. It borders Israel to the north and east and Egypt to the southwest, and is separated from the West Bank by Israeli territory. The Strip covers about 365 square kilometers and is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with roughly 2 million residents, mostly Palestinian Arabs including many descendants of 1948 refugees. Its major towns are Gaza City, Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah, and Rafah. The coastline stretches about 40 kilometers. The terrain is flat and arid, with limited freshwater resources; agriculture and fishing remain important.

Historically, it was part of Mandatory Palestine under British rule, then administered by Egypt after 1948, and captured by Israel in the 1967 war. Israel withdrew settlers and troops in 2005, and in 2007 Hamas seized control after fighting with Fatah. Since then, Gaza has been governed by Hamas, while the Palestinian Authority has limited authority there. Israel and Egypt maintain a blockade that restricts movement of people and goods, contributing to economic and humanitarian pressures. The economy relies on aid, with high unemployment and frequent power shortages. Access to the sea and land crossings is tightly controlled, with intermittent openings of crossings such as Erez and Rafah.

The territory has experienced several conflicts with Israel since 2008–09, including major operations in 2012, 2014, and beyond, causing extensive damage to infrastructure. International organizations provide aid, medical care, and reconstruction assistance, while political and security tensions persist.