Hanoun

Hanoun, also transliterated as Beit Hanoun and known in Arabic as Bayt Ḥānūn, is a Palestinian town in the northern Gaza Strip. It is part of the North Gaza Governorate and lies near the border with Israel, northeast of Gaza City, close to the area of the Erez border crossing. The town is part of a cluster that includes Beit Lahia and Jabalia and has a mixed urban and peri-urban character.

The population of Hanoun is in the tens of thousands, predominantly Palestinian. Administratively it falls under Palestinian Authority governance in the Gaza Strip, though since 2007 it has been effectively controlled by Hamas. The area has experienced frequent disruptions due to the Israeli blockade and periodic conflict, which have affected daily life, movement, and access to services.

Historically, Beit Hanoun has endured several conflicts during the Gaza crises, including major armed operations and repeated border-related clashes. The proximity to the Israeli border has made the town a focal point during escalations, with damage to infrastructure and displacement reported in various conflicts.

Economically, the town has relied on agriculture, local trade, and, to varying degrees, fishing from nearby coastal areas. The blockade and restrictions on movement have constrained economic opportunities and access to goods and markets, with residents often dependent on aid and humanitarian programs. Hanoun remains a densely populated community with ongoing needs related to infrastructure, services, and resilience in the context of the wider Gaza Strip.