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. 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&region=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 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>
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>


==Footnotes==
Major 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> Occasional rocket launches from Gaza, again with no injury or loss of life, continued after the end of major hostilities, and an Israeli soldier was killed by a [[roadside bomb]]; Israel issued a warning that it would use "disproportionate" force in response.<ref>''Daily Telegraph'': '[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/4421726/Israel-vows-disproportionate-response-to-Gaza-rocket-attacks.html Israel vows 'disproportionate' response to Gaza rocket attacks]'. 1st February 2009.</ref>
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==See also==
[[Satelite imaging]] allowed researchers to identify over 1,000 destroyed or damaged buildings;<ref>''BBC'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7812136.stm Gaza crisis: key maps and timeline]'.</ref> the [[United Nations Development Programme]] network estimated that 14,000 Gazan homes, 219 factories and 240 schools had been destroyed in the conflict. Rebuilding efforts would be made under restrictions on imports into Gaza,<ref>''BBC'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7918716.stm What gets into the Gaza Strip]'. 2nd March 2009.</ref> and an early estimate put costs at over $2 billion over up to five years.<ref>''BBC'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7856011.stm Who will rebuild Gaza?]' 28th January 2009.</ref>
*[[West Bank]]

Revision as of 05:45, 24 March 2009

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;[1] this widened to the removal of Hamas.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]

Major hostilities ended on 18th January,[5] with talks opening in Cairo aimed at building a lasting truce.[6] 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,[7] criticised Israel for the destruction in Gaza, which led to raw sewage flooding streets and buildings levelled over wide areas.[8] Meanwhile, smugglers resumed moving supplies through tunnels from Egypt.[9] Occasional rocket launches from Gaza, again with no injury or loss of life, continued after the end of major hostilities, and an Israeli soldier was killed by a roadside bomb; Israel issued a warning that it would use "disproportionate" force in response.[10]

Satelite imaging allowed researchers to identify over 1,000 destroyed or damaged buildings;[11] the United Nations Development Programme network estimated that 14,000 Gazan homes, 219 factories and 240 schools had been destroyed in the conflict. Rebuilding efforts would be made under restrictions on imports into Gaza,[12] and an early estimate put costs at over $2 billion over up to five years.[13]

  1. ↑ BBC: 'Israeli jets target Gaza tunnels'. 28th December 2008.
  2. ↑ Guardian: 'Israel looks to drive out Hamas'. 6th January 2009.
  3. ↑ BBC: 'Gaza rebuild 'to cost billions''. 20th January 2009.
  4. ↑ BBC News: 'Israel accepts truce 'principles''. 7th January 2009.
  5. ↑ BBC: 'Hamas announces ceasefire in Gaza'. 18th January 2009.
  6. ↑ BBC: 'Cairo talks on ceasefire in Gaza'. 22nd January 2009.
  7. ↑ For official biography, see the 'United Nations Secretary-General website.
  8. ↑ BBC: 'UN 'shocked' by Gaza destruction'. 23rd January 2009.
  9. ↑ BBC: 'Gaza tunnels resume smuggling'. 22nd January 2009; see also Times link as above.
  10. ↑ Daily Telegraph: 'Israel vows 'disproportionate' response to Gaza rocket attacks'. 1st February 2009.
  11. ↑ BBC: 'Gaza crisis: key maps and timeline'.
  12. ↑ BBC: 'What gets into the Gaza Strip'. 2nd March 2009.
  13. ↑ BBC: 'Who will rebuild Gaza?' 28th January 2009.
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