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Palestinians on the Gaza beach in 2006 Gaza City in 2018. The Gaza Strip is 41 km (25 mi) long, from 6 to 12 km (3.7 to 7.5 mi) wide, and has a total area of 365 km 2 (141 sq mi). It has a 51 km (32 mi) border with Israel, and an 11 km (7 mi) border with Egypt, near the city of Rafah.
Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei meets Haniyeh in Tehran, says elimination of Israel 'feasible'
Associated Press Videos3 hours agoIran's supreme leader told Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh that the elimination of Israel was a divine promise and is feasible. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made the comments during a meeting with the acting President Mohammad Mokhber on Wednesday in Tehran.
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- 0:48Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei meets Haniyeh in Tehran, says elimination of Israel 'feasible'Associated Press VideosIran's supreme leader told Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh that the elimination of Israel was a divine promise and is feasible. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made the comments during a meeting with the acting President Mohammad Mokhber on Wednesday in Tehran.3 hours ago
- 1:57In historic move, Ireland, Spain and Norway will recognize a Palestinian stateAssociated Press VideosNorway, Ireland and Spain said Wednesday they would recognize a Palestinian state, a historic but largely symbolic move that further deepens Israel’s isolation more than seven months into its grinding war against Hamas in Gaza. Israel immediately denounced the decisions and recalled its ambassadors to the three countries.9 hours ago
- 1:30Norway, Ireland and Spain say they will recognize a Palestinian state - AP explainsAssociated Press VideosNorway, Ireland and Spain said Wednesday they would recognize a Palestinian state, a historic but largely symbolic move that further deepens Israel’s isolation more than seven months into its grinding war against Hamas in Gaza.13 hours ago
- 2:39Norway, Ireland, Spain to recognize Palestinian stateReuters VideosSTORY: SIMON HARRIS: "Today, Ireland, Norway, and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine." Ireland, Spain and Norway announced on Wednesday (May 22) that they would recognize a Palestinian state on May 28, urging other Western countries to follow suit. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the three countries hoped the step would accelerate efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. Israel immediately recalled its ambassadors. Earlier in May, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly backed a Palestinian bid to become a full member, which would effectively recognize a Palestinian state. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris: "I'm confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks. This is an historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine." The decision was welcomed by the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli occupied West Bank, and by Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. But Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the recognition undermined Israel's right to self-defense and efforts to return the 128 hostages being held by Hamas. Sanchez said Israel had a right to respond to the militant group's October 7 attack on southern Israel, when 1,200 people were killed according to Israeli tallies. But not as it had in Gaza. "And if one thing is clear to me, it is that Prime Minister Netanyahu has no peace project for Palestine. Fighting the terrorist group is legitimate and necessary after the events of 7 October. But Netanyahu is creating so much pain and so much destruction and so much rancour in Gaza and the rest of Palestine that the viability of a two-state solution is in serious danger." At a pro-Palestinian solidarity camp in Madrid, students mostly welcomed the announcement but warned it wasn't enough. Daniel Mair-Richard: “These are empty words. It does us no good to recognize the Palestinian state if you continue to sell arms to Israel when a genocide is taking place. We demand an end to these empty gestures and call for the immediate cut-off of relations with Israel now and stop the arms trade because genocide is being committed with these weapons and we do not want to be complicit in genocide.” European states have varied in approach - France said on Wednesday conditions were not yet met to recognize Palestine as a state.16 hours ago
- 3:35Blinken speaks at House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on 2025 budgetABC News VideosSome House Republicans expressed deep disagreements with how the Biden administration has handled the Israel-Hamas war.20 hours ago
- 4:34Netanyahu criticizes ICC, vows to press on in RafahCBS News VideosHundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled for safety to Gaza's southern city of Rafah are again being displaced as Israel vows to expand its military offensive there. CBS News' Imitaz Tyab breaks down the latest moves in the Israel-Hamas war.1 day ago
- 0:36ICC's arrest requests 'wrong-headed' -BlinkenReuters VideosSTORY: :: Blinken blasts ICC move seeking arrest warrants for Israeli leaders :: Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State "The extremely wrong-headed decision by the ICC prosecutor yesterday. The shameful equivalence implied between Hamas and the leadership of Israel, I think that only complicates the prospects of getting such an agreement. We'll continue to forge ahead to do that. But that decision, as you said, on so many levels is totally wrong-headed. And we'll be happy to work with Congress, with this committee on an appropriate response." :: Washington :: May 21, 2024 Speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Blinken said the Biden administration would be happy to work with Congress to formulate an appropriate response to the ICC's request to issue arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders. "We'll be happy to work with Congress, with this committee, on an appropriate response" to the ICC move, Blinken said on Tuesday. He did not say what a response to the ICC move might include. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said on Monday he had reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's defense chief and three Hamas leaders "bear criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity." Washington roundly criticized Khan's announcement, arguing the court does not have jurisdiction over the Gaza conflict and raising concerns over process. The United States is not a member of the court, but has supported past prosecutions, including the ICC's decision last year to issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.2 days ago
- 1:35Eye Opener: Judge clears court in Donald Trump's hush money trialCBS News VideosA stunning day in former President Donald Trump's hush money trial: The judge clears the court over the behavior of a witness. Also, International Criminal Court prosecutors seek arrest warrants for leaders of Hamas and Israel, alleging war crimes. All that and all that matters in today's Eye Opener.2 days ago
- 0:31ICC announcement 'deeply unhelpful' says UK's SunakReuters VideosSTORY: :: The UK's Prime Minister says the ICC prosecutor seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders is 'unhelpful' :: May 21, 2024 :: Vienna, Austria Rishi Sunak, UK Prime Minister "Well, this is a deeply unhelpful development. Of course, it's still subject to a final decision, but it remains deeply unhelpful nonetheless. There is no moral equivalence between a democratic state exercising its lawful right to self-defence and the terrorist group Hamas. And it's wrong to conflate and, as I said, equivocate between those two different entities. And what I'm very clear (on) is that this will make absolutely no difference in getting a pause in the fighting, getting aid into the region, or indeed the hostages out." The ICC's prosecutor said on Monday (May 20) he had requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defense chief and three Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said in a statement issued after more than seven months of war in Gaza that he had reasonable grounds to believe the five men "bear criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. A panel of pre-trial judges will determine whether the evidence supports the arrest warrants. But the court has no means to enforce such warrants, and its investigation into the Gaza war has been opposed by the United States and Israel. Israel and Palestinian leaders have dismissed allegations of war crimes, and representatives for both sides criticized Khan's decision.2 days ago
- 2:22Biden defends Israel after ICC warrants requestReuters VideosSTORY: U.S. President Joe Biden strongly defended Israel on Monday after the International Criminal Court's prosecutor requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense chief and three Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes. Biden was speaking at an event for Jewish American Heritage Month at the White House. “Let me be clear, we reject the ICC's application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders. Whatever these warrants may imply, there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas, and it's clear Israel wants to do all we can to ensure civilian protection. Let me be clear. Contrary to allegations against Israel made by the International Court of Justice, what's happening is not genocide." ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said in a statement issued after more than seven months of war in Gaza that he had reasonable grounds to believe the five men "bear criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. He said evidence his office collected showed Israel had systematically deprived civilians of "objects indispensable to human survival", including food, water, medicine and energy. Netanyahu on Monday called the charges ‘absurd’. “I reject with disgust the comparison of the prosecutor in the Hague between democratic Israel and the mass murderers of Hamas. This is a complete distortion of reality.” The Hamas leaders are accused of bearing responsibility for crimes committed by the militant group, including extermination and murder, the taking of hostages, torture, rape and other acts of sexual violence. Many Gazans were also angry over news of the warrants: "We are against this decision because they have equated the victim with the executioner. We have a right to our homeland. How can it be that those who resist and call for the liberation of their homeland become criminal? And the criminal become the protector?!" The ICC is the world's first permanent international war crimes court. It steps in only when a state is unwilling or genuinely unable to do so itself. Israel has said alleged war crimes in Gaza are being investigated domestically. It and key ally the United States are not members of the ICC, along with China and Russia.2 days ago
- 0:47Biden denies 'genocide' happening in GazaReuters VideosSTORY: :: Biden says Israeli forces are not committing genocide in their campaign against Hamas :: “Contrary to allegations against Israel made by the International Court of Justice, what's happening is not genocide. We reject that and we'll always stand with Israel and the threats against its security." :: May 20, 2024 :: Washington, D.C. :: The US President spoke at a Jewish American Heritage Month event at the White House :: "We stand with Israel to take out Sinwar and the rest of the butchers of Hamas. We want Hamas defeated. We'll work with Israel to make that happen and consistent with Jewish values and compassion, kindness and dignity and human life. My team also is providing critical humanitarian assistance to help innocent Palestinian civilians who are suffering greatly because of the war Hamas has unleashed." In remarks at the White House event, Biden stressed his belief that Israel was the victim dating back to the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas militants who killed 1,200 people and took hundreds of hostages. He said U.S. support for the safety and security of Israelis is "ironclad." Negotiations have stalled between Israel and Hamas in trying to gain the freedom of sick, elderly and wounded hostages still held by the militants, but Biden vowed not to give up trying to gain their release.2 days ago
- 1:07UN 'running out of words' to describe Gaza: officialReuters VideosSTORY: :: A UN official says they're 'running out of words' to describe Gaza's situation :: Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs "We are running out of words to describe what is happening in Gaza. We have described it as a catastrophe, a nightmare, as hell on earth. It is all of these and worse." :: May 20, 2024 :: Meanwhile the Palestinian envoy insists the killing of civilians must stop :: Riyad Mansour, Palestinian UN envoy "Gaza will haunt the conscience of the world long after this genocide stops. And stop it must and it must now." :: Israel's envoy condemns ICC arrest warrants for top leaders that include Israel's Netanyahu :: Gilad Erdan, Israeli Ambassador to the UN "This morning, in an act of outrageous absurdity and moral bankruptcy, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court announced that he will seek arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and Hamas leaders. This is despicable. An unforgettable day on which an immoral equivalence is being made between a terror organization and the leaders of a vibrant democracy. This is a dark day for the international community and a dark day for international institutions." Food and medicine for Palestinians in Gaza are piling up in Egypt because the Rafah crossing remains closed and there has been no aid delivered to a U.N. warehouse from a U.S.-built pier for two days, U.N. officials warned on Monday. Israel is retaliating against Hamas in Gaza - an enclave of 2.3 million people - over a brutal Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian militants. Aid access into southern Gaza has been disrupted since Israel stepped up military operations in Rafah, a move that the U.N. says has forced 900,000 people to flee.2 days ago
- 2:08Biden rebukes ICC for seeking arrest warrant for Israeli leadersCBS News VideosThe International Criminal Court's lead prosecutor is seeking arrest warrants for Hamas and Israeli leaders, including for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both Israel and Hamas have separately denounced the charges, while President Biden was highly critical of the decision to include Israeli officials. CBS News' Imtiaz Tyab has details.2 days ago
- 2:32Biden rebukes ICC request for Netanyahu arrest warrantCBS News VideosPresident Biden sharply criticized the request for a war crimes arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu along with the leaders of Hamas. The president called the move by the International Criminal Court "outrageous," saying there's no equivalence between Israel and the militant group. Imtiaz Tyab has details.2 days ago
- 1:06Netanyahu condemns ICC war crimes prosecutor for seeking his arrest over Israel's actions in GazaAssociated Press VideosIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the move by ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan to seek his arrest as an “outrageous decision” and "an attempt to deny Israel the basic right of self-defense." In his statement, Netanyahu also vowed to press ahead with Israel’s war against Hamas militants.2 days ago
- 1:03ICC may seek more Israeli arrest warrants -analystReuters VideosSTORY: The International Criminal Court's prosecutor Karim Khan said on Monday he had requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defense chief and three Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes. "It may later decide it wants to issue arrest warrants against other people, more people, we don't know. If the judges agree those arrest warrants should be issued, then those people should be handed over," said Nice, referring to the signatories to the ICC. Israel and Palestinian leaders have dismissed allegations of committing war crimes, and representatives of both sides criticized Khan's decision.3 days ago
- 2:59ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Israeli, Hamas leadersReuters VideosSTORY: The International Criminal Court's prosecutor has requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defense chief Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said in a statement on Monday that he had reasonable grounds to believe that all "bear criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Hamas leaders' arrest warrants were for the group's chief Yahya Sinwar; Mohammed Al-Masri, the commander-in-chief of its military wing, and Ismail Haniyeh, head of its Political Bureau. "Those who do not comply with the law should not complain later when my office takes action based on solid evidence. That day has come. Today, we underline in the clearest possible fashion that international law and the laws of armed conflict apply to everyone. No foot soldier, no commander, no civilian leader - no one - can act with impunity." Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said accepting the ICC prosecutors' decision, quote, "would harm the ability of any country to defend its citizens and will constitute a crime of historic proportion." Gallant and Netanyahu have overseen Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza since the Palestinian militant group's deadly October 7 raid on Israel. Some 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage in the rampage, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, at least 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war in Gaza, according to the enclave's health ministry. And aid agencies have also warned of widespread hunger, a risk of famine, and dire shortages of fuel and medical supplies. Israeli and Palestinian leaders have both previously dismissed allegations of committing war crimes. Khan said evidence collected by his office showed Israel had systematically deprived civilians of "objects indispensable to human survival," including restricting food, water, medicine and energy. Netanyahu and Gallant bore responsibility, he said, for Israel wilfully causing great suffering and for killing as a war crime. The Hamas leaders face allegations of bearing responsibility for crimes committed by the militant group, including extermination and murder, the taking of hostages, torture, rape and other acts of sexual violence. It will now be up to a panel of pre-trial judges to determine whether the evidence from the ICC prosecutors' office supports the issuing of arrest warrants. The ICC's 124 member states are obliged to immediately arrest the wanted person if they are on a member state's territory. However, it has no means to enforce arrest warrants - and its investigation into the Gaza war has been opposed by the United States and Israel, neither of whom are members of the ICC.3 days ago
- 1:58ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including NetanyahuAssociated Press VideosKarim Khan said that he believes Netanyahu, his defense minister Yoav Gallant and three Hamas leaders — Yehia Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh — are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel.3 days ago
- 1:49ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Hamas leaders for alleged war crimesCBS News VideosThe International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The ICC's chief prosecutor says the leaders are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza and Israel. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is facing pressure to come up with a post-war plan for Gaza. CBS News foreign correspondent Imtiaz Tyab has more.3 days ago
- 2:17ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Israeli PM, Hamas leadersReuters VideosSTORY: :: The Hague, the Netherlands :: May 20, 2024 Karim Khan, ICC prosecutor "I can also confirm today that I have reasonable grounds to believe, on the basis of evidence collected and examined by my office, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant bear criminal responsibility for the following international crimes committed on the territory of the state of Palestine from at least the 8th of October 2023. The crimes include starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, wilfully causing great suffering, serious injury to body or health, or cruel treatment, wilful killing or murder and intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population; as well as crimes against humanity of extermination and/or murder, persecution and allegation of crimes committing other inhumane acts." "I have reasonable grounds to believe the three senior leaders of Hamas - Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab (Al-Masri) and Ismail Haniyeh - bear criminal responsibility for the following international crimes committed on the territory of Israel and the state of Palestine from at least the 7th of October 2023: extermination as a crime against humanity, murder as a crime against humanity and as a war crime, the taking of hostages as a war crime, rape and other acts of sexual violence during captivity as crimes against humanity and as war crimes, torture during captivity as a crime against humanity and as a war crime, other inhumane acts during captivity as a crime against humanity, cruel treatment during captivity as a warcrime, and outrageous upon personal dignity during captivity as a war crime." Prosecutor Karim Khan's office said it suspected all five - Netanyahu, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Al-Masri and Ismail Haniyeh - bore criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Israel or the Gaza Strip. Israel has denied committing war crimes in the Gaza war, triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7. The ICC's decision "equates the victim with the executioner," a senior Hamas official told Reuters. It will be up to the court's pre-trial judges to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to issue warrants.3 days ago
- 1:43Biden calls Israel-Hamas war 'heartbreaking', says Gaza is in a 'humanitarian crisis'Yahoo News VideoSpeaking at the commencement at Morehouse College on Sunday, President Biden said, "What’s happening in Gaza and Israel is heartbreaking." Biden also called the situation in Gaza a "humanitarian crisis."3 days ago
- 0:50Drone shows Israelis marching to protest NetanyahuReuters VideosSTORY: :: Drone footage shows Israelis marching to Jerusalem to protest against Netanyahu's government :: March 20, 2024 :: Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway, Israel Israeli police said they had detained several protesters on suspicion of attempting to block the road. They were taken for questioning. Protesters are set to join others outside Israel's parliament, the Knesset, as the summer session begins later on Monday. Anger has mounted in Israel against Netanyahu's government, with weekly demonstrations calling for a deal to bring hostages back, and for Netanyahu's resignation over criticism of his handling of the war against Hamas in Gaza.3 days ago
- 2:15Iran's president Raisi killed in helicopter crashReuters VideosSTORY: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister were killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday. The charred wreckage of the aircraft was found early on Monday after an overnight search. Raisi's death was confirmed by Iran's vice president on X, and on state television. A senior Iranian official told Reuters "President Raisi, the foreign minister and all the passengers in the helicopter were killed in the crash." Rescue teams fought blizzards and difficult terrain through the night to reach the crash site in East Azerbaijan province in the early hours of Monday. Raisi had been at the Azerbaijani border to inaugurate a joint dam project. There has been no official word yet on the cause of the crash. State TV halted regular programming on Sunday to show prayers for Raisi being held across the country. The 63-year-old was elected president in 2021. Since taking office Raisi had ordered a tightening of morality laws, overseen a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests and pushed hard in nuclear talks with world powers. Iran's dual political system is split between the clerical establishment and the government, and it is the supreme leader rather than the president who has the final say on all major policies. But for years many have seen Raisi as a strong contender to succeed his 85-year-old mentor, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has strongly endorsed Raisi's main policies. “I mean, I think a lot of people might celebrate or might be happy, but also a lot of people, I think naturally would be very worried as to, you know, the potential political instability and what it could have.” A contest to replace Raisi may already be in the works, according to Arash Azizi, an Iran political analyst at the Center for Middle East and Global Order. “We all expected a ferocious struggle for power to begin after Khamenei dies. It might have already begun with this incident.” The crash comes as Iran faces pressure over its nuclear programme, its military ties to Russia, and its connections to Hamas, which is fighting Israel in Gaza. Countries including China expressed concern over Raisi, while the White House said U.S. President Joe Biden had been briefed on the situation.3 days ago
- 1:08Father speaks at funeral held in Israel for Shani Louk, German-Israeli hostage killed by HamasAssociated Press VideosHundreds of mourners attended the funeral on Sunday of a German-Israeli hostage who was killed by Hamas, according to the Israeli military. (AP Video shot by Alon Bernstein)3 days ago
- 2:14Israel launches strikes across Gaza, US envoy in regionReuters VideosSTORY: Residents said Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas across the Gaza Strip on Sunday. Over two dozen Palestinians were killed in the enclave, most of them in a strike on a house in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, according to Gaza health officials and Hamas. Abu Khaled Moenes lives near the house that was hit. “...the house was flattened to earth and the entire square around it, where we are, has been destroyed. We have martyrs, the entire house with everyone inside (has been killed). No one survived except a young boy aged eight or nine months." The strikes came as White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid U.S. calls for a more focused military campaign. Washington worries for the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians sheltering in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. And has cited a need not just to evacuate them but also to ensure adequate alternative accommodation. Israel has been pushing into the city that it says is the last bastion of Hamas forces. For many, it was one of their few remaining places of refuge. Speaking to Reuters on Friday, Rafah resident Majid Omran said his family had fled, and returned to what was left of their home in the southern city of Khan Younis. "Across the Gaza strip there is no safety," he said. "We took our children, grandchildren and daughters and we came and lived above the rubble of our home. Because there is no place to take refuge here.” Israeli forces also pushed deeper into the narrow alleyways of Jabalia in northern Gaza overnight and into Sunday. The Israeli military has said its operations in Jabalia - the largest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps - are precise and meant to stop Hamas from reestablishing its grip there. According to Israeli tallies, the Oct. 7 Hamas assault on Israel that sparked the war killed 1,200 people. More than 35,300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since then, according to the enclave's health ministry. Aid agencies have warned of widespread hunger in Gaza, and shortages of fuel and medical supplies.3 days ago
Oct 7, 2023 · The Israeli military has continued to pummel the Gaza Strip, and particularly northern Gaza, with strikes even as ground troops have moved toward Gaza City over the past week and a half.
Oct 9, 2023 · The Gaza Strip refers to a narrow strip of land wedged between Israel and Egypt on the Mediterranean Sea that is roughly the size of Washington, D.C. Occupied in turn by the Ottoman Empire and...
- Yasmine Salam
- Overview
- Geography
- Occupation
- Under Hamas’s governance
Gaza Strip, territory occupying 140 square miles (363 square km) along the Mediterranean Sea just northeast of the Sinai Peninsula. The Gaza Strip is unusual in being a densely settled area not recognized as a de jure part of any extant country. The first accurate census, conducted in September 1967, showed a population smaller than had previously ...
The Gaza Strip is situated on a relatively flat coastal plain. Temperatures average in the mid-50s F (about 13 °C) in the winter and in the upper 70s to low 80s F (mid- to upper 20s C) in summer. The area receives an average of about 12 inches (300 mm) of precipitation annually.
Living conditions in the Gaza Strip are typically poor for a number of reasons: the region’s dense and rapidly increasing population (the area’s growth rate is one of the highest in the world); inadequate water, sewage, and electrical services; high rates of unemployment; and, from September 2007, sanctions imposed by Israel on the region.
Agriculture is the economic mainstay of the employed population, and nearly three-fourths of the land area is under cultivation. The chief crop, citrus fruit, is raised on irrigated lands and is exported to Europe and other markets under arrangement with Israel. Truck crops, wheat, and olives also are produced. Light industry and handicrafts are centred in Gaza, the chief city of the area.
Britannica Quiz
Before They Were World Leaders: Middle East Edition
In politically stable times, as much as one-tenth of the Palestinian population travels daily to Israel (where they are not allowed to stay overnight) to work in menial jobs. Political tension and outbreaks of violence often led Israeli authorities to close the border for extended periods, putting many Palestinians out of work. As a result, a thriving smuggling industry emerged, based on a network of subterranean tunnels linking parts of the Gaza Strip with neighbouring Egypt. The tunnels provided Palestinians with access to goods such as food, fuel, medicine, electronics, and weapons.
After rule by the Ottoman Empire ended there in World War I (1914–18), the Gaza area became part of the League of Nations mandate of Palestine under British rule. Before this mandate ended, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) in November 1947 accepted a plan for the Arab-Jewish partition of Palestine under which the town of Gaza and an area of surrounding territory were to be allotted to the Arabs. The British mandate ended on May 15, 1948, and on that same day the first Arab-Israeli war began. Egyptian forces soon entered the town of Gaza, which became the headquarters of the Egyptian expeditionary force in Palestine. As a result of heavy fighting in autumn 1948, the area around the town under Arab occupation was reduced to a strip of territory 25 miles (40 km) long and 4–5 miles (6–8 km) wide. This area became known as the Gaza Strip. Its boundaries were demarcated in the Egyptian-Israeli armistice agreement of February 24, 1949.
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The Gaza Strip was under Egyptian military rule from 1949 to 1956 and again from 1957 to 1967. From the beginning, the area’s chief economic and social problem was the presence of large numbers of Palestinian Arab refugees living in extreme poverty in squalid camps. The Egyptian government did not consider the area part of Egypt and did not allow the refugees to become Egyptian citizens or to migrate to Egypt or to other Arab countries where they might be integrated into the population. Israel did not allow them to return to their former homes or to receive compensation for their loss of property. The refugees were maintained largely through the aid of the UNRWA. Many of the younger refugees became fedayeen (Arab guerrillas operating against Israel); their attacks on Israel were one of the causes precipitating the Sinai campaign during the Suez Crisis of 1956, when the strip was taken by Israel. The strip reverted to Egyptian control in 1957 following strong international pressures on Israel.
In the 2006 PA parliamentary elections, Fatah—which had dominated Palestinian politics since its founding in the 1950s—suffered a decisive loss to Hamas, reflecting years of dissatisfaction with Fatah’s governance, which was criticized as corrupt and inefficient. Hamas’s victory prompted sanctions by Israel, the United States, and the European Unio...
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Aug 7, 2022 · The Gaza Strip explained in maps. The Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million people, has been under an Israeli-imposed land, sea and air blockade for the past 16 years. (Al Jazeera) By Mohammed...
- Mohammed Haddad
Dec 12, 2023 · By Josh Holder Videos by Neil Collier and Natalie Reneau Dec. 12, 2023. Motaz Azaiza via Instagram. Nine weeks ago, the Gaza Strip was a bustling home to more than two million people. Today ...
May 15, 2024 · On 7 October 2023, HAMAS militants inside the Gaza Strip launched a combined unguided rocket and ground attack into Israel. The attack began with a barrage of more than 3,000 rockets fired toward Israel from Gaza, and included thousands of terrorists infiltrating Israel by land, sea, and air via paragliders.