Gaza Strip: Difference between revisions
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The '''Gaza Strip''' is a coastal region of the [[Middle East]] along the [[Mediterranean Sea]] that is about 26 miles long and 4 to 8 miles wide, bordering [[Egypt]] and [[Israel]]. It is home to about 1.4 million [[Palestine|Palestinian]] people, mostly refugees dependent on international aid, and is one of the most overcrowded areas of the world; the land and sea borders are controlled by Israel and Egypt, so movement out of the Gaza Strip is restricted. The main urban centre is [[Gaza City]]. Claimed by the [[Palestinian National Authority]], the area has been governed by the [[Hamas]] organisation since June 2007, and has previously been occupied by Israel (1967-2005, following the six-day [[Arab-Israeli conflict|Arab-Israeli War]]) and Egypt (1948-1967). Israel maintains control of the Strip's airspace and its [[Israeli Navy|navy]] continues to patrol Gazan waters; the homes that it set up in the Gaza Strip during its occupation housed about 8,000 Israelis and were assigned much of the land. | The '''Gaza Strip''' is a coastal region of the [[Middle East]] along the [[Mediterranean Sea]] that is about 26 miles long and 4 to 8 miles wide, bordering [[Egypt]] and [[Israel]]. It is home to about 1.4 million [[Palestine|Palestinian]] people, mostly refugees dependent on international aid, and is one of the most overcrowded areas of the world; the land and sea borders are controlled by Israel and Egypt, so movement out of the Gaza Strip is restricted. The main urban centre is [[Gaza City]]. Claimed by the [[Palestinian National Authority]], the area has been governed by the [[Hamas]] organisation since June 2007, and has previously been occupied by Israel (1967-2005, following the six-day [[Arab-Israeli conflict|Arab-Israeli War]]) and Egypt (1948-1967). Israel maintains control of the Strip's airspace and its [[Israeli Navy|navy]] continues to patrol Gazan waters; the homes that it set up in the Gaza Strip during its occupation housed about 8,000 Israelis and were assigned much of the land. About 6,000 Palestinians are involved in moving food, fuel and other goods through tunnels from Egypt; a [[United Nations]] report describes these tunnels as a "lifeline" for Palestinians and the [[private sector]], since Israel restricts the flow of goods across Gaza's borders. Egypt has destroyed some of the tunnels,<ref>''United Nations'': '[http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_humanitarian_monitor_2008_10_1_english.pdf The Humanitarian Monitor: occupied Palestinian territory]'. September 2008. .pdf.</ref> which are also used for smuggling arms.<ref>''Times'': '[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5563147.ece Arms are still arriving through undamaged tunnels]'. 22nd January 2009.</ref> | ||
Hamas and other organisations such as [[Islamic Jihad]] do not recognise Israel and their military wings have fought against their neighbours for some years, mainly through launching hundreds of rockets of crude sophistication into Israeli territory.<ref>''BBC News'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3702088.stm Gaza's rocket threat to Israel]'. 21st January 2008.</ref> Israel, for its part, has used its extensive technological advantage in firepower to launch attacks against targets in the Gaza Strip. Following violence between Hamas and [[Fatah]] which saw Hamas take power in the Gaza Strip, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas broke down in 2008, towards the end of a period which saw about 20 Israelis killed since 2001.<ref>''Sydney Morning Herald'' : '[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/01/04/1231003847088.html Mission revealed: destroy Hamas]'. 5th January 2009.</ref> Over 2000-2008, about 3,000 Gazan Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces, according to an Israeli [[human rights]] group,<ref>''B'Tselem - the Israeli Informaiton Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories'': '[http://www.btselem.org/English/Statistics/Casualties.asp Statistics - fatalities]'.</ref> and more died due to restrictions on movement.<ref>''B'Tselem - the Israeli Informaiton Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories'': '[http://www.btselem.org/english/statistics/casualties_data.asp?Category=21®ion=TER Statistics - Palestinians who died following an infringement of the right to medical treatment in the Occupied Territories]'.</ref> | Hamas and other organisations such as [[Islamic Jihad]] do not recognise Israel and their military wings have fought against their neighbours for some years, mainly through launching hundreds of rockets of crude sophistication into Israeli territory.<ref>''BBC News'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3702088.stm Gaza's rocket threat to Israel]'. 21st January 2008.</ref> Israel, for its part, has used its extensive technological advantage in firepower to launch attacks against targets in the Gaza Strip. Following violence between Hamas and [[Fatah]] which saw Hamas take power in the Gaza Strip, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas broke down in 2008, towards the end of a period which saw about 20 Israelis killed since 2001.<ref>''Sydney Morning Herald'' : '[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/01/04/1231003847088.html Mission revealed: destroy Hamas]'. 5th January 2009.</ref> Over 2000-2008, about 3,000 Gazan Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces, according to an Israeli [[human rights]] group,<ref>''B'Tselem - the Israeli Informaiton Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories'': '[http://www.btselem.org/English/Statistics/Casualties.asp Statistics - fatalities]'.</ref> and more died due to restrictions on movement.<ref>''B'Tselem - the Israeli Informaiton Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories'': '[http://www.btselem.org/english/statistics/casualties_data.asp?Category=21®ion=TER Statistics - Palestinians who died following an infringement of the right to medical treatment in the Occupied Territories]'.</ref> | ||
==2008-2009 Gaza conflict== | ==2008-2009 Gaza conflict== | ||
In January 2009, Israel launched an invasion of the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of ending rocket attacks; this widened to the removal of Hamas.<ref>''Guardian'': '[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/06/gaza-israel-hamas Israel looks to drive out Hamas]'. 6th January 2009.</ref> The operation led to at least 1,300 of Palestinian deaths, with limited humanitarian assistance permitted, and devastated many areas; over 50,00 people were left homeless.<ref>''BBC'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7839075.stm Gaza rebuild 'to cost billions']'. 20th January 2009.</ref> The Israeli civilian death toll was | In January 2009, Israel launched an invasion of the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of ending rocket attacks and destroying tunnels into Gaza used to smuggle weapons as well as food and fuel;<ref>''BBC'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7801662.stm Israeli jets target Gaza tunnels]'. 28th December 2008.</ref> this widened to the removal of Hamas.<ref>''Guardian'': '[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/06/gaza-israel-hamas Israel looks to drive out Hamas]'. 6th January 2009.</ref> The operation led to at least 1,300 of Palestinian deaths, with limited humanitarian assistance permitted, and devastated many areas; over 50,00 people were left homeless.<ref>''BBC'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7839075.stm Gaza rebuild 'to cost billions']'. 20th January 2009.</ref> The Israeli civilian death toll was three, with 10 soldiers also killed (four by '[[friendly fire]]'). With international pressure growing, the two sides agreed on a temporary daily truce on 7th January, with hopes that this would lead to a permanent ceasefire.<ref>''BBC News'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7815929.stm Israel accepts truce 'principles']'. 7th January 2009.</ref> Hostilities ended on 18th January,<ref>''BBC'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7836205.stm Hamas announces ceasefire in Gaza]'. 18th January 2009.</ref> with talks opening in [[Cairo]] aimed at building a lasting truce.<ref>''BBC'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7843911.stm Cairo talks on ceasefire in Gaza]'. 22nd January 2009.</ref> Israel lifted a ban on international aid agencies entering the Gaza Strip on 23rd January; the [[United Nations]]' Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Sir [[John Holmes]],<ref>For official biography, see the '[http://www.un.org/sg/senstaff_details.asp?smgID=118 United Nations Secretary-General] website.</ref> criticised Israel for the destruction in Gaza, which led to raw [[sewage]] flooding streets and buildings levelled over wide areas.<ref>''BBC'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7846625.stm UN 'shocked' by Gaza destruction]'. 23rd January 2009.</ref> Meanwhile, smugglers resumed moving supplies through tunnels from Egypt.<ref>''BBC'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7844446.stm Gaza tunnels resume smuggling]'. 22nd January 2009; see also ''[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5563147.ece Times]'' link as above.</ref> | ||
==Footnotes== | ==Footnotes== | ||
Revision as of 01:37, 24 January 2009
The Gaza Strip is a coastal region of the Middle East along the Mediterranean Sea that is about 26 miles long and 4 to 8 miles wide, bordering Egypt and Israel. It is home to about 1.4 million Palestinian people, mostly refugees dependent on international aid, and is one of the most overcrowded areas of the world; the land and sea borders are controlled by Israel and Egypt, so movement out of the Gaza Strip is restricted. The main urban centre is Gaza City. Claimed by the Palestinian National Authority, the area has been governed by the Hamas organisation since June 2007, and has previously been occupied by Israel (1967-2005, following the six-day Arab-Israeli War) and Egypt (1948-1967). Israel maintains control of the Strip's airspace and its navy continues to patrol Gazan waters; the homes that it set up in the Gaza Strip during its occupation housed about 8,000 Israelis and were assigned much of the land. About 6,000 Palestinians are involved in moving food, fuel and other goods through tunnels from Egypt; a United Nations report describes these tunnels as a "lifeline" for Palestinians and the private sector, since Israel restricts the flow of goods across Gaza's borders. Egypt has destroyed some of the tunnels,[1] which are also used for smuggling arms.[2]
Hamas and other organisations such as Islamic Jihad do not recognise Israel and their military wings have fought against their neighbours for some years, mainly through launching hundreds of rockets of crude sophistication into Israeli territory.[3] Israel, for its part, has used its extensive technological advantage in firepower to launch attacks against targets in the Gaza Strip. Following violence between Hamas and Fatah which saw Hamas take power in the Gaza Strip, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas broke down in 2008, towards the end of a period which saw about 20 Israelis killed since 2001.[4] Over 2000-2008, about 3,000 Gazan Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces, according to an Israeli human rights group,[5] and more died due to restrictions on movement.[6]
2008-2009 Gaza conflict
In January 2009, Israel launched an invasion of the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of ending rocket attacks and destroying tunnels into Gaza used to smuggle weapons as well as food and fuel;[7] this widened to the removal of Hamas.[8] The operation led to at least 1,300 of Palestinian deaths, with limited humanitarian assistance permitted, and devastated many areas; over 50,00 people were left homeless.[9] The Israeli civilian death toll was three, with 10 soldiers also killed (four by 'friendly fire'). With international pressure growing, the two sides agreed on a temporary daily truce on 7th January, with hopes that this would lead to a permanent ceasefire.[10] Hostilities ended on 18th January,[11] with talks opening in Cairo aimed at building a lasting truce.[12] Israel lifted a ban on international aid agencies entering the Gaza Strip on 23rd January; the United Nations' Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Sir John Holmes,[13] criticised Israel for the destruction in Gaza, which led to raw sewage flooding streets and buildings levelled over wide areas.[14] Meanwhile, smugglers resumed moving supplies through tunnels from Egypt.[15]
Footnotes
- ↑ United Nations: 'The Humanitarian Monitor: occupied Palestinian territory'. September 2008. .pdf.
- ↑ Times: 'Arms are still arriving through undamaged tunnels'. 22nd January 2009.
- ↑ BBC News: 'Gaza's rocket threat to Israel'. 21st January 2008.
- ↑ Sydney Morning Herald : 'Mission revealed: destroy Hamas'. 5th January 2009.
- ↑ B'Tselem - the Israeli Informaiton Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories: 'Statistics - fatalities'.
- ↑ B'Tselem - the Israeli Informaiton Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories: 'Statistics - Palestinians who died following an infringement of the right to medical treatment in the Occupied Territories'.
- ↑ BBC: 'Israeli jets target Gaza tunnels'. 28th December 2008.
- ↑ Guardian: 'Israel looks to drive out Hamas'. 6th January 2009.
- ↑ BBC: 'Gaza rebuild 'to cost billions''. 20th January 2009.
- ↑ BBC News: 'Israel accepts truce 'principles''. 7th January 2009.
- ↑ BBC: 'Hamas announces ceasefire in Gaza'. 18th January 2009.
- ↑ BBC: 'Cairo talks on ceasefire in Gaza'. 22nd January 2009.
- ↑ For official biography, see the 'United Nations Secretary-General website.
- ↑ BBC: 'UN 'shocked' by Gaza destruction'. 23rd January 2009.
- ↑ BBC: 'Gaza tunnels resume smuggling'. 22nd January 2009; see also Times link as above.