The Gaza Strip, often simply referred to as Gaza, is a distinct Palestinian enclave situated along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This historically significant territory shares an 11-kilometer (6.8 mi) border with Egypt to its southwest and a more extensive 51-kilometer (32 mi) border with Israel to its east and north. Together with the West Bank, the Gaza Strip is claimed by the de jure sovereign State of Palestine, forming a crucial part of the broader Palestinian territories.

While both Gaza and the West Bank fall under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, they are geographically separated by Israeli territory. A significant political shift occurred in June 2007, following the Battle of Gaza, when the Strip came under the governance of Hamas. This militant, Palestinian, fundamentalist Islamic organization had previously risen to power in the last-held elections in 2006. Since then, the territory has faced an ongoing international economic and political boycott led by Israel and the United States.

Geography and Demographics of Gaza

Spanning 41 kilometers (25 mi) in length and varying from 6 to 12 kilometers (3.7 to 7.5 mi) in width, the Gaza Strip encompasses a total area of 365 square kilometers (141 sq mi). Despite its relatively small size, Gaza is incredibly densely populated. With approximately 1.85 million Palestinians residing in just 362 square kilometers, it ranks as the third most densely populated political unit globally. An extensive Israeli buffer zone within the Strip further restricts land access for Gaza’s residents, exacerbating the density issue.

The region experiences a rapid annual population growth rate of 2.91% (2014 estimate), placing it among the top 13 highest worldwide. This rapid growth has led to frequent descriptions of Gaza as overcrowded. Projections anticipated the population to reach 2.1 million by 2020. Alarmingly, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in the occupied Palestinian territory warned in 2012 that the Gaza Strip might not be a "liveable place" by 2020. Indeed, by that year, Gaza had already been grappling with severe shortages of water, medicine, and power, a dire situation further worsened by the global coronavirus crisis. The overwhelming majority of Gaza’s population is Sunni Muslim.

The Complex Political Landscape and Governance

The political trajectory of the Gaza Strip took a decisive turn following Hamas’s majority win in the 2006 Palestinian legislative election. The rival political party, Fatah, initially resisted joining a proposed coalition. Although a short-lived unity government agreement was brokered by Saudi Arabia, it quickly collapsed under pressure from Israel and the United States. Subsequently, the Palestinian Authority established a non-Hamas government in the West Bank, while Hamas independently formed a government in Gaza. This period saw the imposition of further economic sanctions against Hamas by Israel and the European Quartet.

A brief but intense civil war erupted between the two Palestinian factions in Gaza, reportedly fueled by a US-backed plan for Fatah to contest Hamas’s administration. Hamas ultimately emerged victorious, expelling Fatah-allied officials and members of the PA’s security apparatus from the Strip. Since that pivotal moment, Hamas has remained the sole governing power in Gaza, shaping its internal policies and external relations.

International Status and the Enduring Blockade

Despite Israel's unilateral disengagement from Gaza in 2005, a significant consensus among the United Nations, international human rights organizations, and a majority of governments and legal commentators maintains that the territory remains under Israeli occupation. This perspective is reinforced by additional restrictions imposed on Gaza by Egypt, effectively creating a comprehensive blockade.

Israel asserts direct external control over Gaza and exerts substantial indirect control over daily life within the Strip. This includes controlling Gaza’s air and maritime space, as well as six of its seven land crossings. Israel also reserves the right to deploy its military within Gaza at will and maintains a strict no-go buffer zone inside the territory. Critically, Gaza relies heavily on Israel for essential utilities such as water, electricity, and telecommunications. This multifaceted system of control led Jerome Slater, in the Fall 2012 edition of International Security, to describe it as an "indirect occupation." However, some Israeli analysts dispute this characterization, viewing Gaza as a de facto independent state.

The impact of this blockade is profound and far-reaching. The population faces severe limitations on their freedom to leave or enter the Gaza Strip, and the import or export of goods is heavily restricted. This has had a catastrophic effect on Gaza’s economy, which, according to a UNCTAD report prepared for the UN General Assembly in November 2020, was on the verge of collapse. Al Jazeera reported that 19 human rights groups have urged Israel to lift its siege, a call echoed by the UN, emphasizing the critical need to ease the blockade for Gaza's survival.

Key Conflicts: Operation Returning Echo (March 2012)

The fragile peace in the Gaza Strip has been repeatedly shattered by outbreaks of violence. One notable escalation was Operation Returning Echo, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) military operation conducted from March 9 to March 14, 2012. This particular event marked the worst outbreak of violence reported by the media in the region since the more extensive 2008-2009 Gaza War (Operation Cast Lead).

The operation was triggered on March 9 when Israel carried out a targeted air strike in the Gaza Strip, killing Zohair al-Qaisi, the secretary general of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC). Another militant was also killed, and a nearby man was seriously injured. According to the IDF, al-Qaisi had overseen the 2011 southern Israel cross-border attacks, which resulted in the deaths of eight Israelis, including six civilians, and was allegedly in the final stages of planning a new "mega-attack." The PRC, however, denied these claims.

Palestinian militant groups responded swiftly with retaliatory rocket attacks on Israel, launching over 300 Grad missiles, Qassam rockets, and mortar shells. Of these, 177 struck Israeli territory, hitting major urban centers like Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Beersheba, as well as smaller communities. These attacks injured 23 Israelis, all civilians, and prompted the closure of schools across southern Israel for most of the week to protect students from the aerial threat. Israel’s sophisticated Iron Dome missile defense system proved highly effective, intercepting 56 rockets out of 71 attempts aimed at large cities.

In response, Israel conducted 37 air strikes targeting Gazan weapons storage facilities, rocket launching sites, weapon manufacturing facilities, training bases, posts, tunnels, and militants. These strikes resulted in the deaths of 22 individuals, primarily from Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees, along with four civilians. Another 74 Palestinians were reportedly injured, mostly civilians, though some reported civilian casualties were later deemed unrelated to Israeli actions. Internationally, the United States, France, and a United Nations official condemned the Palestinian attacks, with the US affirming Israel's right to self-defense. Conversely, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Arab League, Syria, Egypt, and Iran condemned Israel's responsive air strikes. On March 13, Egypt successfully brokered a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant groups. Notably, Hamas did not directly participate in the fighting during this period, emphasizing that an all-out war would "be devastating to the Palestinian people."

Humanitarian Situation and Ongoing Challenges

The United Nations' dire warning that the Gaza Strip might not be a "liveable place" by 2020 has largely come to pass. The population continues to endure chronic shortages of essential resources, including clean water, vital medicines, and consistent power supply. This already critical situation was further exacerbated by the global coronavirus pandemic, which placed immense strain on Gaza's fragile healthcare system and infrastructure.

The economic ramifications of the prolonged Israeli and Egyptian border closures, coupled with the Israeli sea and air blockade, are catastrophic. The inability to freely import or export goods stifles economic activity and compounds the humanitarian crisis. International bodies and human rights organizations consistently call for the lifting of the blockade, viewing it as a major impediment to the well-being and development of Gaza’s population. The collective suffering under these conditions underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions to alleviate the humanitarian distress in the Strip.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Gaza Strip

What is the Gaza Strip?

The Gaza Strip is a Palestinian enclave located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, bordering Egypt and Israel. It is claimed by the de jure sovereign State of Palestine.

Who governs the Gaza Strip?

Since June 2007, the Gaza Strip has been governed by Hamas, a militant, Palestinian, fundamentalist Islamic organization.

Is the Gaza Strip considered occupied territory?

The United Nations, international human rights organizations, and most governments and legal commentators consider the territory to be still occupied by Israel, despite Israel's 2005 disengagement.

What are the main challenges facing the Gaza Strip population?

Key challenges include severe overcrowding, high population growth, a comprehensive economic and political blockade, shortages of water, medicine, and power, and limited freedom of movement for its residents.

What was Operation Returning Echo?

Operation Returning Echo was an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) military operation in the Gaza Strip from March 9 to March 14, 2012, triggered by an Israeli targeted strike on a militant leader and characterized by retaliatory rocket fire from Palestinian groups and Israeli air strikes.