JERUSALEM — The ongoing conflict in Gaza erupted dramatically following an attack by Hamas fighters on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This assault led to the deaths and abduction of numerous individuals, prompting a robust military response from Israel that has recently culminated in a fragile ceasefire.
On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump proposed that the displaced Palestinian populations from Gaza should be permanently relocated outside the conflict-ridden region, suggesting that the U.S. should take “ownership” of the situation. This statement may ignite further geopolitical tensions surrounding the Gaza enclave, situated along the Mediterranean coast.
The Gaza Strip has a complex and troubled history worth examining:
**1948 – 1967: Egyptian Governance in Gaza**
Before the establishment of Israel in 1948, Gaza was under British colonial control. Following the war, Israel triumphed over a coalition of Arab nations and left the Egyptian army in charge of this narrow land strip bordered by Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. The conflict resulted in the displacement of approximately 700,000 Palestinians from what is now Israel, an event they refer to as Nakba, or “catastrophe.” Many of these refugees sought shelter in the strip.
Under Egyptian military governance, Palestinians in Gaza faced homelessness and statelessness. Egypt did not recognize them as citizens, and Israel barred their return to their original homes. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) provided assistance to the refugees, which remains prominent in Gaza. During this period, some young Palestinians became part of the “fedayeen,” conducting guerrilla attacks against Israel.
**1967 – 1993: Israel Assumes Control**
The dynamics shifted in 1967 when Israel captured Gaza from Egypt during the Six-Day War, alongside the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which still remain under Israeli jurisdiction. The Israeli government established over 20 settlements in Gaza during this era and later signed a peace agreement with Egypt at Camp David, facilitated by U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi has invoked this longstanding agreement to deny entry to Palestinian refugees from Gaza into Egypt, citing fears that militants could threaten the peace between Egypt and Israel. In December 1987, the first Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation began in Gaza, leading to a cycle of unrest and violence that also saw the formation of Hamas.
**1993 – 2005: Palestinian Authority Takes Over**
Initially, there was hope for peace as negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders progressed. Following the Oslo Accords, which aimed to pave a path toward a two-state solution, Gaza came under the authority of the nascent Palestinian Authority.
However, this optimism was short-lived due to several incidents, such as violent Hamas attacks, the 1995 assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, and the victory of Benjamin Netanyahu in subsequent elections, all of which hampered the peace process. The second Palestinian uprising began in late 2000, further complicating matters. By 2005, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon executed a unilateral withdrawal from Gaza, removing all troops and approximately 9,000 settlers, a move that deeply divided Israel.
**2005 – 2023: Hamas Gains Power**
In the wake of Israel’s withdrawal, Hamas triumphed in parliamentary elections over Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction at the time. In 2006, following prolonged infighting, Hamas forcibly took control of Gaza from the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, which led to a blockade imposed by both Israel and Egypt, severely restricting the flow of goods and people and crippling the region’s economy.
These restrictions have resulted in extreme unemployment and a surge in militant activity within Gaza, which is known as one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Over the years, despite numerous conflicts with Israel that have devastated the region, Hamas has gained military capabilities, showcased through increased rocket proficiency and enhanced weaponry.
**2023 Conflict: The Escalation of War**
The recent attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, with about 250 hostages taken. In November 2023, a weeklong ceasefire allowed for the release of over 100 hostages, of whom eight were found alive, while Israeli forces recovered several bodies.
The ongoing military operations by Israel have resulted in more than 47,000 Palestinian casualties, with a significant portion being women and children, as local health authorities report. This conflict has devastated urban areas, displacing around 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
As part of an initial ceasefire phase effective January 19, Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages—eight of whom it claims are deceased—in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees. Israeli forces have mostly withdrawn, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to their war-torn northern Gaza, thus facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid.
Discussions regarding the second phase of the ceasefire, which would ideally resolve the ongoing conflict and secure the return of an additional 60 hostages, are set to commence soon. Failure to reach an agreement through mediation from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt could result in the resumption of hostilities in early March.
