Gazas

Gazas is not a standard geographic term in English. In most texts the intended referent is Gaza, which can denote either the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory along the Mediterranean, or the city of Gaza, the largest urban center within it. The plural Gazas is uncommon and generally considered nonstandard; when seen, it may reflect a transcription variant, a pluralized form in another language, or simply a typographical error rather than a recognized place name.

Geography and demography: The Gaza Strip occupies about 365 square kilometers (141 square miles) and is bordered by Israel to the north and east, Egypt to the south, with a Mediterranean coastline to the west. The city of Gaza is located along the Strip’s southern coast and has ancient origins dating back to antiquity. The residents of Gaza are commonly referred to as Gazans; the standard plural is Gazans rather than Gazas.

Political context: The Gaza Strip has a complex political history and governance. Since 2007 it has been de facto governed by Hamas, while the West Bank areas are governed by the Palestinian Authority, with international attention on humanitarian conditions and regional conflict.

See also: Gaza, Gaza Strip, Gazan, Gazans.