Hananya Naftali
Mar 21, 2023
Gaza’s Location
The Short Answer
Gaza, or the Gaza Strip, is a narrow coastal territory on the eastern Mediterranean. It borders Israel to the north and east and Egypt to the south, where the Rafah crossing connects it to Sinai. The strip is about 41 kilometers (25 miles) long and 6 to 12 kilometers (4 to 7 miles) wide, home to around two million people.
A Short History of Gaza
Gaza is an ancient city mentioned in the Bible as a Philistine stronghold, where Samson brought down the temple of Dagon. Jews lived in Gaza for centuries, until riots in 1929 drove the community out.
Egypt ruled Gaza from 1948 to 1967 and never created a Palestinian state there. Israel took control in the Six Day War, then withdrew every soldier and civilian in 2005.
Gaza Under Hamas
Hamas seized Gaza in a violent coup in 2007 and has ruled it since, firing thousands of rockets at Israel and launching the October 7 massacre in 2023. Read more: Gaza Famine and Humanitarian Aid
Key Facts
Gaza is about 41 kilometers long and up to 12 kilometers wide.
It borders Israel and Egypt.
Israel withdrew completely from Gaza in 2005.
Hamas has ruled Gaza since 2007.