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The modern conflict’s origins can be traced back to the early 20th century. After World War I, the British Mandate for Palestine was established, leading to a period of increased Jewish immigration to the region and growing tensions with the Arab population. This culminated in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, which resulted in the creation of the State of Israel. During this period, an estimated 700,000 Palestinians were displaced, an event they call the Nakba, or “catastrophe.” The Gaza Strip was subsequently controlled by Egypt.
In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured the Gaza Strip from Egypt. It would remain under Israeli military occupation for nearly four decades. Following the 1993 Oslo Accords, the newly formed Palestinian Authority was given limited self-rule in parts of Gaza and the West Bank. In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew its military and settlers from the Gaza Strip, a move it called “disengagement.”
This period of self-rule was short-lived. In 2007, the Islamist group Hamas won a parliamentary election and took full control of the Gaza Strip after a brief conflict with the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority. In response, both Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on the territory, severely restricting the movement of goods and people.
The Core Issues: Land, Security, and Freedom of Movement
The conflict in and around Gaza is fueled by several interconnected issues:
- Territory and Borders: The fundamental dispute revolves around the borders and the status of the Palestinian territories. Palestinians seek an independent state with Gaza and the West Bank as its core. Israel, citing historical and security claims, has not agreed to these terms.
- The Blockade: For over 15 years, the blockade has had a significant humanitarian impact. The United Nations and other international bodies have repeatedly called for its lifting, citing high unemployment and poverty. Israel and Egypt maintain that the blockade is a necessary measure to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas and other militant groups.
- Security: Both sides have long-standing security concerns. Israel cites a history of rocket attacks launched by militant groups from Gaza as a primary justification for its military operations and the blockade. Palestinian groups, in turn, cite the ongoing occupation and the blockade as their reasons for resistance.
- The Right of Return: The question of Palestinian refugees from the 1948 war remains a central issue. Palestinians demand the right for these refugees and their descendants to return to their homes in what is now Israel, a claim Israel rejects as a threat to its demographics and security.
The conflict in Gaza is a deep-seated and complex struggle with no simple solutions. It involves a mix of historical grievances, political disputes, and ongoing security concerns that have defined the lives of those in the region for generations.
