Gaza Strip
The Gaza Strip, often referred to simply as Gaza, is a small coastal territory in the Southern Levant that is north of Egypt's Sinai, East of the Mediterranean Sea, and South-West of Israel.
The long-standing ruler of the Gaza Strip is Hamas, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by most Western states and international governmental organizations. Under Hamas, Gaza has been in a state of conflict with Israel. Several other terrorist organizations reside in Gaza and take part in the hostilities, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, ISIS offshoots and others.
Gaza is home to 1.5 million Palestinians, largely Sunni Muslim, some who identify as refugees or descendants of refugees from territory now belonging to Israel. Gaza has a very young population, but is very impoverished due to mismanagement, corruption, conflict, and the redirection of taxes and financial aid to warfare.
Due to the conflict between Gaza and Israel, the territory has been under blockade since 2007, though it shares one border and crossing, Rafah, with Egypt. A significant amount of smuggling occurs on this border, often through tunnels.
Gaza is surrounded by defensive structures created by the Israel Defense Forces to counter Gazan terrorist attacks. This includes a sensor fence that rings the perimeter, an underground barrier to prevent and detect tunneling, and a naval barrier to prevent naval frogman infiltration.
Rockets fired from Gaza have presented a major strategic challenge to Israel. Military infrastructure runs through Gaza's cities, including rocket infrastructure. Launch sites, munitions storage, command & control centers, bunkers and more can be found throughout Gaza, much of it underground. In the past, Hamas leaders have claimed that 500 kilometers of tunnel systems are laced throughout the Strip.
Gaza was part of the British Mandate after the territory was relinquished by the UK from the Ottoman Empire after World War I. After the Mandate dissolved, it was seized during Israel's War of Independence by Egypt, and ruled by the Egyptian puppet All-Palestine Government. During the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured the territory, and it was not returned along with other Egyptian holdings after the two made peace in the 1970s. 21 Israeli settlements were established within Gaza, but in 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew from the Strip. In 2006, the Palestinians held legislative elections, but when Hamas won, there was a civil war, and Hamas seized full control of Gaza.
From the disengagement onwards, Hamas and other terrorist organizations increased terrorist attacks against Israelis, and several operations have been fought to quell Gazan attacks, including 2008's Cast Lead, 2011's Pillar of Defense, 2014's Protective Edge, and 2021's Guardian of the Walls.
WATCH: Gazans cheer while safely receiving humanitarian aid, disputing massacre claims
“Not a single bullet was fired,” Adraee wrote, “The civilians began welcoming and cheering for our soldiers, as if they saw in them life after darkness.”
IDF shares video of Gazans cheering for IDF soldiers, IDF strikes Beit Hanun commander's hideout
Israel has no concrete policy for the Gaza Strip - opinion
'On Israeli hands': Rector of Glasgow University tweets Israel committing 'final solution' in Gaza
Why do hostage families fear the IDF's reinvasion of Deir al-Balah, despite past ops.? - analysis
On Sunday, the IDF issued evacuation orders for the Deir al-Balah central Gaza area, a reliable sign that the IDF intends to attack an area more aggressively, often with a full-scale invasion.
IDF to reduce reserve call-up orders following large drafts of non-essential roles
The directive comes amid growing internal and public complaints that administrative and rear-echelon reservists were being called up without taking part in meaningful assignments.
IDF fired warning shots at Gazans near aid sites, Hamas conflating casualties, spox. says
International media outlets reported that at least 73 people were killed by Israeli fire while they waited for UN aid trucks in northern Gaza on Sunday, citing the Hamas-affiliated Health Ministry.
Behaving like a child: White House increasingly worried about Netanyahu's Mideast goals - report
A US official said there's "growing skepticism inside the Trump administration" regarding Netanyahu, noting that his policies in the Middle East are too disruptive.
IDF confirms death of Hamas terrorist responsible for weapons production, research and development
The Israeli air force struck approximately 75 targets in the past day across the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian President Abbas announces decree to hold elections before the end of the year
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced his intention to hold elections for a new Palestinian National Council, which will be representative of the Palestinian people, before end of the year.
Hostage families warn IDF against op. in areas where hostages may be
The IDF issued an evacuation warning for residents in the southwestern area of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, an area the IDF has not operated in before.
Katz pushes bill improving IDF soldiers' conditions, Iran to hold nuclear talks with Europe
IDF shares footage of Gazans cheering for Israeli soldiers • IDF disputes Hamas casualties count in Gaza • Israeli recounts emotional encounter with Iranians at Tomorrowland
'Hold on to hope, pray you'll get out': Former hostage Arbel Yehoud speaks on her time in captivity
Yehoud reflected on the profound loneliness of her captivity in an interview with Channel 12.
Gaza militia leader Abu Shabab: Oct. 7 not an excuse for Israel's collective punishment
Abu Shabab even hinted at a future in politics: "We will be what our people want us to be. We will not impose any political system on their will."
IDF operates in Beit Hanun, Gaza City overnight while IAF strikes over 90 terror targets
Suspects were identified approaching IDF soldiers operating in the Rafah area in Gaza on Friday night, leading soldiers to fire warning shots to disperse them, the military said.