Gaza Strip: Cause & Effects of War
- Sylvia Rose
- Mar 24
- 6 min read
Updated: 34 minutes ago
The Gaza Strip is a narrow territory bordering Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. It's one of the most densely populated areas in the world and at the center of conflict and humanitarian crises for decades.
About the Gaza Strip
The Gaza Strip is a self-governing Palestinian territory, about 40k (25 mi) long and average 10k (6 mi) wide. It's one of the most densely populated areas in the world, home to over two million Palestinians.
It has great strategic importance. The Gaza Strip is along trade routes and close to both Israel and Egypt.
History of the Gaza Strip
Ancient History: Gaza has been active since ancient times, ruled by various empires including the Egyptians, Philistines, Romans, and Byzantines.
Arab Conquest and Ottoman Rule: In the 7th century, Gaza comes under Arab control and later part of the Ottoman Empire for centuries.
British Mandate: Following World War I, the British Mandate for Palestine is established, encompassing Gaza. The Mandate gives Britain administrative control from 1920 to 1948. The goal is to establish a Jewish national home while respecting the rights of the Arab population
1948 Arab-Israeli War: In 1948, the end of British rule and the establishment of Israel, the Arab-Israeli War brings over 750,000 Palestinian refugees into the Gaza Strip, which comes under Egyptian administration.
They're expelled from their homes first by Zionist paramilitaries, and after Israel is formed, by its military. The influx of those seeking refuge plunges the region into crisis.
1967 Six-Day War: Israel occupies the Gaza Strip during the Six-Day War, initiating a period of Israeli military governance.
Oslo Accords: In the 1990s, the Oslo Accords try to establish a framework for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority (PA) is granted limited self-governance over Gaza and parts of the West Bank.
Hamas Takes Control: In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdraws its troops and settlers from Gaza. It keeps control over Gaza's airspace, sea access, and border crossings.
In 2007, Hamas, a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist organization, seizes control of Gaza after winning the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections and subsequent clashes with Fatah, the dominant party within the PA.
Fatah today is the largest faction of the confederated multi-party Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the second-largest party in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). Citizen support is steadily falling.
The political situation creates strong governance splits between the West Bank and Gaza. Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by Israel and several Western nations.
Hamas is funded by several countries. Israel allows Qatar to give hundreds of millions of dollars in aid through Hamas, and Hamas collects revenue by taxing imports. Iran provides around $100 million annually to Hamas and other Palestinian groups.
Military conflicts arise notably in 2008-2009, 2012, and 2014. Each causes thousands of deaths and extensive damage to vital infrastructure, with over 2,200 people killed in 2014 alone.
The military operations often stem from incidents like rocket attacks on Israel. Not surprisingly, this leads to retaliatory strikes, disproportionately affecting civilians.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conduct operations under pretext of neutralizing threats from Hamas. Hamas support rises steadily, at 41% in mid-2024, and figures for Fatah drop, at 17%.
Origins of Conflict
Territorial Disputes: The main issue is dispute over land and establishment of a viable Palestinian state. Palestinians claim Gaza, along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as their territory.
The Israeli Blockade: Since Hamas takes control, Israel, supported by Egypt, has imposed a blockade on Gaza, restricting the movement of people and goods. Israel argues the blockade is necessary for security.
It's ostensibly to prevent weapons from entering Gaza and being used against Israel. Critics argue the the blockade has severely crippled Gaza's economy, exacerbating widespread poverty and humanitarian crises.
Hamas and Rocket Attacks: Hamas frequently launches rockets into Israel. These are often cited by Israel as a reason for military strikes in Gaza.
Israeli Military Operations: In response to rocket attacks and other threats, Israel has launched several large-scale military operations in Gaza, causing many casualties and damage to infrastructure.
Refugee Crisis: The large number of Palestinian refugees in Gaza, descendants of those displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, contributes to the instability. Many refugees remain stateless and live in poverty, fueling resentment and despair.
Natural Gas: The Palestinian Authority associated with Fatah is involved in extracting natural gas from Gaza offshore reservoirs, together with the Israeli and Egyptian governments.
Natural gas is discovered in 2000, about 32 km (20 mi) off the shore of Gaza. Due to conflicts it's not developed. In 2023 the PA, Egypt and Israel move in and now have control of the gas field.
PA and Israel get a cut of 27.5% each. 45% of the gas goes to Egypt for processing to be sold back to Palestine and other countries. The US and more would like to get a piece of that.
Political Division: The division between Hamas in Gaza and the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority in the West Bank weakens the Palestinian cause and hinders progress toward a unified national strategy.
Ongoing blockades by Israel and Egypt limit the movement of people and goods, creating a staggering unemployment rate of about 49% in 2022. Access to clean water is severely restricted.
According to the UN reporting only 10% of Gaza’s water is safe for consumption. Many families, particularly those with young children, struggle to meet basic needs.
Due to the blockade and its consequences the territory is often called an open-air prison. Gaza Strip borders are controlled by Israel and Egypt, along with a restricted fishing zone. Entry and exit by land, sea or air are not allowed.
Nearly 80% of Gaza’s residents live below the poverty line. The youth, who make almost half the population, have an especially bleak economic outlook.
Despite allegations of human rights violations, Hamas is seen as a way to end the conflict. Many believe military force is the only way to succeed against Israel and bring stability to Gaza.
Human Rights & Humanitarian Needs
The conflicts are devastating for the people of Gaza. The blockade has severely hampered economic development, access to healthcare and basic necessities.
Frequent attacks cause death, injuries, displacement and psychological trauma. The ongoing humanitarian crisis and the lack of peaceful resolution contribute to a sense of hopelessness and despair.
In the Gaza Strip, drinkable water and wastewater sanitation are scarce. In July 2024 the Gaza Strip is designated a polio epidemic zone, especially in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah. Food insecurity is at the brink of famine.
Sewage, wastewater, and solid waste management systems and facilities fail. Informal dumpsites accumulate thousands of tons of solid waste, and untreated sewage discharges into the sea. According to the UN, 70% of Gaza's population needs humanitarian help.
The international response to the Gaza Strip varies. Humanitarian organizations try to provide relief, but political solutions are elusive. Nations differ in their views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, often influenced by broader political alliances.
As of March 24 2025, reported by Al Jazeera:
"Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza continues, with at least 65 Palestinians killed in attacks across the Gaza Strip over the past 24-hour reporting period.
Two Palestinian journalists have been killed in Israeli air strikes, including a reporter with Al Jazeera Mubasher whose car was blown up in northern Gaza."
Protests begin March 26 against Hamas rule in Gaza after the most recent attacks on hospitals, food lines, the Red Cross and refugee camps. With death, disease, trauma and terror rampant, Gazans are desperate to end the war.
Hamas finally accepts a peace offer by Qatar and Egypt. After this, Israel presents a counterproposal. When Hamas refuses, the bombs keep coming.
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