Gaza is a region and a land that has experienced a great deal. Only being about a 140-square-mile area of land, Gaza has always been in the center of everything for better or worse.
The people of Gaza are the ones that need the attention, love, and caring more than ever. Why? Because in Gaza there always has been decades of protest, military operations and cruel violence. Peace is something that needs to be accomplished.
Despite Muslims accounting for almost 87% of the population, Gaza has a history with people from around the world and from different faiths. In general, Gaza has a collective Palestinian identity, which came up or was developed during times of conflict and division.
For better or worse especially, Gaza may be better known than many realize overall. Gaza is located in the heart of one of the most tense regions in the world.
Also, Gaza is at the heart of the Middle Eastern conflict concerning Israel, Palestine, and Syria. Some may know Hamas, a militia in Gaza, but the historical legacy of this country is deep and goes beyond their ancient settlements.
Learn more about Gaza with these facts below!
1. Gaza is a small piece and strip of land that has a coast
Gaza is relatively small. Many would not expect Gaza’s land mass looking quite different. Why? Because there is a coast along a lot of Gaza. In particular, the Gaza Strip isa 140 strip or square mile stretch of land. The land is not what you would realize as the media does not represent
In general, Gaza is a tiny territory located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Overall, it is the smaller of the two Palestinian territories in general. Gaza, if you compare it to bigger American cities, is not extensive. When you put Gaza's map completely on top of New York City, Gaza would cover. The area of Manhattan, the Bronx and the city of Hoboken, New Jersey, combined.
The Gaza Strip has a lot of coastal access as well. In fact, thousands of people every year would go to the beaches along the scenic coast of the Gaza Stri. Gaza is located along the Mediterranean coast. The land is beautiful overall.
Of course, naturally since Gaza, being between Egypt and Israel, has had a lot of conflict. Therefore, the beach areas of Gaza are the only area to get away from for the Gazan Palestinian people living there.
2. Gaza being part of Palestine and Israel was the birthplace of Jesus Christ
There are many struggles in Israel, Palestine and definitely Gaza today. Many do not realize that there are many Christians in Israel, West Bank, Jerusalem, and of course Gaza. In particular, Gaza has 1,300 active Christians.
For example, there is even the struggle of Jerusalem, which is claimed by two peoples. But, one thing is agreed is that Israel Palestine is the sight and history and birthplace of Christianity.
Historically, the birthplace of Jesus is quite significant for Israel. Why? Because the Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route is in Bethlehem. There are historical documents located about 10 km or 6 miles south of Jerusalem. This is important because the Israeli and Palestinian site has been identified by Christian tradition as the birthplace of Jesus. This has been traced back to the 2nd century.
3. The people of Gaza are mostly refugees and have been victims to many conflicts and wars
By the 1960s, following wars and conflicts with Egypt and Israel, Gaza had established numerous camps. And in essence, displacement is a major part and aspect of Palestinian history. These situations have caused many to become homeless despite being in the same place.
For example, by 1948 a population of around 700,000 Palestinians were expelled and some ended up in various places like the narrow strip of land called Gaza. Historically, people in Gaza and Palestinians refer to the historical period as the Nakba, which means in Arabic “catastrophe.”
In Gaza, the United Nations established a refugee agency, UNRWA. Today in 2024, this agency gives food and provides services for 1.6 million refugees in Gaza. This same agency helps Palestinians in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank. Lastly, as early as 1967, of the people in Gaza at least 60% of them were refugees.
4. Active artists and creators in Gaza face challenges and war
The war in Gaza has been a massive weight on the people of Gaza. However, there are still artists who dare and yearn to create and make art. Even though there is a severe and violent situation in Gaza, artists continue.
Artists in Gaza have to face political and humanitarian situations and strife. Despite this, there are artists that have been able to leave and continue and make art and some who have died while marking art. Heba Zagout is a visual artist who made traditional art based on Palestinian folklore. This shows the beauty of the people despite war and violence.
One of the bigger challenges for any artists especially in Gaza is how to transfer art pieces outside of the embattled strip. And yet, one more bigger problem is access to art materials. Artists like Heba Zagout and Mohammed Al Hawajri. Remember their names and discover their art showcasing Gaza.
5. Popular Food Chef, Anthony Bourdain, visited Gaza to showcase the food
Many may not realize that Gaza was where some celebrities came to sample and enjoy the food and culture of Gaza. For example, there is the popular Chef and travel show host, Anthony Bourdain, who took the time to visit Gaza in 2013.
Gaza has a wonderful array of food like the rest of Palestine in the West Bank and Israel. It is the host of this show, Bourdain, who goes through exploring the tasty cuisine and culture especially in Gaza. Clearly, not many had realized what effect it would have on Gaza and Palestine overall. Also, simply that Bourdain gave a voice to the silenced and marginalized people of Gaza.
This landmark show for travel and Gaza happened in 2013. It was of course on one of the last shows Bourdain did before his untimely death. The Gaza food show was released as an episode of the show Parts Unknown. Anthony Bourdain, who is beloved and cherished for his passion for the world, went to a part of the world that was untouched. Bourdain brought his viewers and the world closer to viewers getting near local chefs in Gaza. Also, Bourdain was able to get close to writers, and discover home cooked meals and secrets. As well, Boudain took the time to travel to Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza strip.
6. Sadly, Gaza is cut off from the rest of Palestine and Israel
The geographical isolation of Gaza is quite severe. This isolation and more means that people in the Gaza Strip have to suffer the consequences of the severe repression of rights by the governing authority of Israel.
How this separation affects Gaza is quite clear. This causes economic decay, food shortages and frustration. Essentially, Gaza as a whole stays isolated and cut off every other place. It is isolated from the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory. There is a strict control as to who goes in and out which is tragic so far.
Moreover, there is no Entry into the West Bank, which is part of Palestine, for the people of Gaza. In essence, for the people you can either or not go into Israel through the Erez crossing. Or for example, going through Jordan, as for movement that is prohibited for all Gazans. Lastly, overall the flow of people permitted through the Egyptian Rafah Crossing stays limited, with many hundreds or thousands denied passage each week and every day.
7. Gaza is under a severe economic and land blockade
There is a blockade that has persisted for many decades. This is an issue of great concern and sadness as the people of Gaza suffer great economic hardship.
Moreover, the Gaza blockade includes and features a total block that happens through the land, air and sea. In essence, this is a complete denial and rejection of basic human rights. In essence, this is in contravention of international law. Overall, the effect of this blockade means a great amount of collective punishment on the people of Gaza.
The blockade severely restricts and hampers imports and exports to the territory of Gaza. Moreover, there is a complete lack of movement of people in and out of Gaza, which is quite harrowing for the population. So, there is a lack of access to agricultural land and fishing waters. In summary, Gazans are unable to provide and give enough for their families. Lastly, the blockade has greatly affected the quality of infrastructure and important services have worsened.
8. Gaza like the rest of Palestine was known as a place for tolerance
There are many things that may surprise people about the aspects of tolerance and acceptance that are part of Gaza and Palestine in general. Despite what many think in regards to current and past conflicts, Palestine was once a beacon for multiculturalism and tolerance between Christians, Jewish people and Muslims.
Historically, during the Ottoman period in what is today Gaza, Muslims, Christians and Jews lived, on the whole, peacefully together. This time really showed how these groups even with different religions can provide focus and acceptance for each other.
Even more recent accounts show how Muslims even while reciting prayers would do this with their Jewish neighbor and fellow country or village people. Some Muslims even went as far as sending their children to Jewish schools. Why? Because Arabs and Gazans in particular may learn to behave properly. Clearly, the need for coexistence had been around but conflicts, militarist movement, and attacks had not been the norm. Lastly, even more so, marriages and relations between Jewish people and Arabs were even allowed and not so uncommon.
9. Gaza has links to old empires that stretch back in time to its current history
The amount of history in Gaza spreads from many empires and people. The documented and recorded history of Gaza is 4,000 years. Historically, Gaza was ruled, destroyed and then further repopulated by numerous shifts in population. For example, may it be new dynasties, empires, and peoples like the Romans to as most recently Ottomans.
Gaza was originally a Canaanite settlement. Furthermore, it had been under the leadership of the ancient Egyptians for almost 35-400 years. As well, even Gaza was part of the Assyrian Empire. Even, Alexander the Great had conquered and taken the city in 332 BCE
A lot of history and rulers passed through Gaza like the Romans, Greeks, the Seleucids of Syria and even as well the Ptolemies of Egypt.
Even at one point in the history of Gaza, there was a building by Roman General Pompey Magnus. During the Roman era, the area of Gaza was quite prosperous. In summary, the history of this region is quite varied compared to most parts of the world.
10. One of the oldest and largest mosques of Palestine is in Gaza
In Gaza, there is the Great Mosque of Gaza. This is a well known mosque more so for its minaret, which is square-shaped. But, also because of its age, which as a mosque dates to the 7th century. However, before it was a mosque it was the site of an ancient Philistine temple, and it was used by the Byzantines in the 5th century.
With the growth of Islam, this mosque in Gaza was transformed into a great mosque. The Great Mosque's minaret is what makes it special for sure, which showcases a traditional Mamluk architectural style.
The Great Omari Mosque was one of the largest and oldest mosques in all of Gaza, Palestine. The mosque is located in Gaza City. The mosque is a beautiful and holy site in Gaza.
