GazaIsrael

Gaza-Israel refers to the political and security relationship between the Gaza Strip and Israel, within the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Gaza Strip is a Palestinian territory along the Mediterranean coast, about 365 square kilometers in area, with a densely packed population of around 2 million people, many of whom are refugees from the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. It borders Israel to the north and east, Egypt to the south, and the sea to the west.

Governance and status: Since 2007 Gaza has been governed by Hamas after elections and subsequent clashes with the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority. The West Bank remains under Palestinian Authority administration. The Gaza Strip is not an independent sovereign state; its political status is tied to the wider dispute over Palestinian statehood and security arrangements with Israel. Israel and Egypt maintain a blockade and security regime on Gaza, with crossings such as Kerem Shalom for goods, Erez for people, and Rafah with Egypt opening intermittently, subject to security assessments.

Security and conflict: The relationship has been marked by intermittent violence, including rocket fire from Gaza toward Israeli towns and Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. Major escalations occurred in 2008-09, 2012, and 2014, with several rounds of fighting and fragile ceasefires typically brokered by Egypt and other mediators. Periodic violence and flare-ups continue to affect civilians on both sides.

Humanitarian and international context: The blockade, restricted movement, and recurrent conflicts have created significant humanitarian challenges in Gaza, including damage to infrastructure, electricity shortages, and limited access to water and medical supplies. International organizations provide aid and advocate for a durable political settlement that addresses security concerns, governance, and the rights and needs of the Palestinian population.