Gaza Strip - Statistics & Facts
The Gaza Strip is a Palestinian territory of about 365 square kilometers and 2.1 million inhabitants, making it one of the world’s most densely populated regions. The narrow area of land is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Gaza has a southern border crossing with Egypt, and the border separating Gaza and Israel is guarded by a perimeter fence.
Although the UN plan for the foundation of a separate Israeli and Palestinian state assigned the region of Gaza to the Arabs, it came under Israeli control as a result of the 1967 war. In 2005, the Israeli government removed all its settlements within the Gaza Strip under their unilateral disengagement plan. At the same time, they maintained control of its borders including the influx and exit of goods, people, and utilities such as electricity, fuel, and fresh water. The following year, Hamas won legislative elections held in the Palestinian territories. After an internal conflict of power within the Palestinian political groups, Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, while the West Bank was led by Fatah.
From 2008 onwards, in response to rocket attacks from Palestinian militants, Israel began its blockade of Gaza. Consequently, there have been greater restrictions in the movement of goods and people through the Gaza Strip since then.
Although the UN plan for the foundation of a separate Israeli and Palestinian state assigned the region of Gaza to the Arabs, it came under Israeli control as a result of the 1967 war. In 2005, the Israeli government removed all its settlements within the Gaza Strip under their unilateral disengagement plan. At the same time, they maintained control of its borders including the influx and exit of goods, people, and utilities such as electricity, fuel, and fresh water. The following year, Hamas won legislative elections held in the Palestinian territories. After an internal conflict of power within the Palestinian political groups, Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, while the West Bank was led by Fatah.
From 2008 onwards, in response to rocket attacks from Palestinian militants, Israel began its blockade of Gaza. Consequently, there have been greater restrictions in the movement of goods and people through the Gaza Strip since then.
