In 2006, Hamas won elections against the Fatah party, which runs the Palestinian Authority (PA). Until 1967, Gaza was under Egyptian control. The Gaza Strip’s current boundaries were demarcated in the Egyptian-Israeli armistice agreement of February 24, 1949. Israel had captured the enclave along with other Palestinian territories – East Jerusalem and the West Bank – in the 1967 War. Gaza is viewed as an occupied territory because Israel has full control of its borders, airspace and territorial waters despite having formally withdrawn its forces and settlers from the enclave in 2005. (Al Jazeera) Who controls the Gaza Strip? Gaza is separated from Israel by a separation barrier, and it has a southern border crossing with Egypt. The enclave is divided into five governorates: North Gaza, Gaza City, Deir el-Balah, Khan Younis and Rafah. It takes one hour to drive from its southern point, Rafah, to Beit Hanoon in the north. Gaza, a 10km (6 mile) by 41km (25 mile) strip located on the Mediterranean Sea, is one of two Palestinian territories, the other being the occupied West Bank. Israeli has mobilised 300,000 soldiers around the strip for a possible ground invasion. Internet connectivity in the area has slumped since Saturday, according to data from NetBlocks. Most of Gaza’s electricity comes from Israeli power lines, and some is produced at a power plant in Gaza, which also sources its fuel from Israel. On Monday, Israel announced a “total blockade” of Gaza, which includes a ban on food, water, fuel and electricity supplies. More than750,000 Palestinians were ethnically cleansed from their homes by Israeli militias in 1948 when Israel declared its independence. More than 60 percent of Gaza’s people are refugees from what is currently Israel. Muslims form the majority of the population, and there is a tiny minority Christian community. Palestinians and activists call it the world’s largest “open-air prison” due to the Israeli blockade. Access to education and medical treatment is also lacking after years of Israeli air strikes on schools and hospitals. The enclave also has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world at 45 percent. This is usually for urgent medical treatment but is very difficult to obtain. Gaza residents need special permission to cross into Israel and Egypt. Sixteen years of an Israeli land, air and sea blockade has crippled its economy and tightly restricted the movement of its people in and out of the enclave. Its population density of 5,500 people per square kilometre (14,245 per square mile) lies in stark contrast to Israel’s at about 400 people per square kilometre (1,035 per square mile).Īn overwhelming majority of Gaza’s population is young with 65 percent being under the age of 24 and the median age for men and women being 18 years. With 2.3 million people living on 365sq km (141sq miles) of land, the Gaza Strip is considered one of the most densely populated areas in the world. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed as Israel promised to avenge the deaths of at least 1,200 of its citizens in Saturday’s attacks. Keep reading list of 4 items list 1 of 4 Is ‘total’ Gaza blockade a collective punishment against Palestinians? list 2 of 4 Photos: Rimal neighbourhood, the beating heart of Gaza, wiped out list 3 of 4 Gaza hospitals overwhelmed as Israeli onslaught continues list 4 of 4 Israel-Hamas war: List of key events, day 5 end of list
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