# The Gaza Strip − Why the History of the Densely Populated Enclave Is Key to Understanding the Current Conflict  ## Metadata - Author:: [[Maha Nassar]] - Full Title:: The Gaza Strip − Why the History of the Densely Populated Enclave Is Key to Understanding the Current Conflict - Category: #articles - URL: https://theconversation.com/the-gaza-strip-why-the-history-of-the-densely-populated-enclave-is-key-to-understanding-the-current-conflict-215306?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Weekly%20Highlights%20%20October%2015%202023%20-%202766727982&utm_content=Weekly%20Highlights%20%20October%2015%202023%20-%202766727982+CID_4fb30782ceeba3f41afdaeb36f1039cf&utm_source=campaign_monitor_us&utm_term=The%20Gaza%20Strip%20%20why%20the%20history%20of%20the%20densely%20populated%20enclave%20is%20key%20to%20understanding%20the%20current%20conflict ## Highlights > During the 1948 war that established the state of Israel, the Israeli military [bombed 29 villages in southern Palestine](https://www.palquest.org/en/militaryoperations/25299/operation-yoav), leading tens of thousands of villagers to flee to the Gaza Strip, under the control of the Egyptian army that were deployed after Israel declared independence. Most of them and their descendants remain there today. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hcswdq46s3sbkxat90stwj2e)) > Following the [1967 Six-Day War](https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/the-1967-six-day-war) between Israel and its Arab neighbors, the Gaza Strip came under Israeli military occupation. The occupation has resulted in “[systematic human rights violations](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2017/06/israel-occupation-50-years-of-dispossession/),” according ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hcswev629w29rdw4f61amhd2)) > The [more than 2 million inhabitants](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/gaza-strip/) of the Gaza Strip are part of the [14 million-strong global Palestinian community](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/129983) ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hcswmxedxtak1b1sxqgsv0n1)) > The Palestinians of Gaza trend young: [nearly half the population is under 18](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/128691). The enclave is also very poor, with a [poverty rate that stands at 53%](https://databankfiles.worldbank.org/public/ddpext_download/poverty/33EF03BB-9722-4AE2-ABC7-AA2972D68AFE/Global_POVEQ_PSE.pdf). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hcswn5sjv21mpr8t3hcz2y9x)) > For graduates between the ages of 19 and 29, the [unemployment rate stands at 70%](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/27/gaza-graduates-demand-unrwa-solutions-for-high-unemployment-rate). And a World Bank survey earlier this year found [71% of Gazans](https://blogs.worldbank.org/arabvoices/intersection-economic-conditions-trauma-and-mental-health-west-bank-and-gaza%20https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-07-16/ty-article/.premium/58-of-palestinians-show-depression-symptoms-new-world-bank-survey-reveals/00000189-5fa3-de4e-adeb-ffa73afd0000) show signs of depression and high levels of PTSD. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hcswp4xagfv09f2gjbj7c63b)) > Shortly after the 2006 elections, the Bush administration [tried to force Hamas from power](https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2008/04/gaza200804) and bring in a rival leader from the Fatah party who was considered friendlier to Israel and the U.S. Hamas preempted the coup and took full control of Gaza in May 2007 ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hcswqmph3x5dsaedchwc2gek)) > The years of closure have devastated the lives of Palestinians in Gaza. Inhabitants there [don’t have enough water](https://www.oxfam.org/en/failing-gaza-undrinkable-water-no-access-toilets-and-little-hope-horizon) for drinking and sanitation. They face [electricity cuts](https://www.oxfam.org/en/timeline-humanitarian-impact-gaza-blockade) that run 12 to 18 hours each day. Without adequate water and electricity, Gaza’s fragile health care system is “[on the brink of collapse](https://www.map.org.uk/news/archive/post/1382-gazaas-health-system-on-the-brink-of-collapse-yet-again),” according to the medical rights group [Medical Aid for Palestine](https://www.map.org.uk/). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hcswrqgz32eqrhqryf3sxpv7)) > These restrictions hit the young and the weak of Gaza particularly hard. Israel [routinely denies sick patients](https://www.btselem.org/gaza_strip/20230404_in_2022_too_israel_prevented_thousands_of_palestinians_in_need_of_medical_care_from_leaving_gaza_for_treatment) the permits they need to receive medical care outside of Gaza. Bright students with scholarships to study abroad often find that they are [unable to leave](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/9/4/gaza-scholarship-students-plead-for-rafah-exit-permit). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hcswsamzdxjjd7w8r18kkf2v)) > They argue that the blockade [amounts to a collective punishment](https://imeu.org/article/israel-international-law-the-siege-blockade-of-gaza) of the Palestinians of Gaza ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hcswsws53h2ynxhdfppp1sjn)) > Israel has launched four major military assaults on Gaza – in 2008-09, 2012, 2014 and 2021 – in efforts to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities. Those wars [killed 4,000 Palestinians](https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-united-nations-israel-palestinian-gaza-hamas-186d89b5fa8ae171c166f6162d6ea3da), more than half of whom were civilians, along with 106 people in Israel. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hcswvfdgkkg151xfxj59brhp)) > During that time, the U.N. estimates that there has been more than [$5 billion worth of damage](https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-united-nations-israel-palestinian-gaza-hamas-186d89b5fa8ae171c166f6162d6ea3da) to Gaza’s homes, agriculture, industry, electricity and water infrastructure. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hcswwfcwttmp4k31mq1364fw))