Gaza’s transformation from a vital trading hub to a conflict-ridden zone is marked by the exodus of 2.2 million Palestinians and U.S. plans for a luxury resort. Historically significant as a center of Palestinian nationalism, Gaza’s legacy includes ancient trade routes and power struggles, culminating in the establishment of Israeli control post-1948. The region has been plagued by violence, leading to Hamas’s rise and ongoing military confrontations, leaving prospects for peace increasingly remote.
The Transformation of Gaza: From Trade Hub to Conflict Zone
In a dramatic shift, 2.2 million Palestinians have left the devastated Gaza Strip. The United States has taken charge of the area, removing the debris and envisioning a luxurious coastal resort on the Mediterranean’s southern shore—a playground for the affluent from around the globe. President Trump’s proposal may seem far-fetched at first glance, but a deeper examination of Gaza’s history reveals a different narrative.
Historically, Gaza was not merely an isolated, densely populated area; it was a vital trading hub. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the Gaza Strip became a focal point for Palestinian nationalism, shaped by ongoing crises and conflicts. It serves as the “Rütli” of the Palestinians—an irreplaceable symbol they will not relinquish without resistance.
The Historical Significance of Gaza
In the past, this region was a significant trade connection between Egypt and the Levant, celebrated for its caravanserais and the refreshing oasis of Wadi Gaza, as noted by French historian Jean-Pierre Filiu. During the 12th century BC, a confederation of cities extended from Gaza into modern-day Israel, where the Philistines often clashed with Jewish tribes, most famously referenced in the biblical tale of David and Goliath.
Gaza faced a pivotal siege by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, where both sides dug tunnels in the soft soil—echoing tactics used by Hamas in contemporary conflicts. Over the centuries, the region saw numerous changes in power, with Mamluks, Mongols, and Crusaders each leaving their mark.
By the early 16th century, the Ottoman Empire annexed Palestine, ushering in a period of prosperity. European travelers lauded the coastal climate, vibrant flora, and welcoming residents. However, the narrative of Gaza as a symbol of Palestinian nationalism began to solidify around four centuries later, following the Ottoman defeat in World War I.
In 1922, under the League of Nations’ mandate, Britain took control of Palestine. Here, the struggle between the Jewish Zionist movement and Palestinian nationalism intensified. Although Gaza initially remained relatively unaffected, tensions escalated in nearby Jaffa with riots against Jewish inhabitants in the early 1920s.
By the late 1930s, Gaza became the epicenter of the Palestinian national movement, as the local Arab population revolted against British rule. The establishment of Israel in 1948 marked a turning point, following the UN partition plan that aimed to balance both national movements’ aspirations. Gaza was designated to the Palestinian side, but the plan was swiftly rejected by Palestinian leaders and Arab states alike, leading to conflict and the subsequent displacement of over 700,000 Palestinians—a tragedy known as “Nakba,” or catastrophe.
The ceasefire between Israel and Egypt in 1949 solidified the Gaza Strip’s current form: a densely populated, under-resourced area that suddenly had to accommodate an influx of 200,000 refugees. The population faced dire conditions, with inadequate infrastructure and food shortages, prompting the creation of a UN aid agency dedicated to Palestinian needs.
Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, recognizing the emerging crisis, proposed annexation of Gaza in exchange for allowing some displaced persons to return, a plan met with sharp criticism from both Israelis and Arabs. Consequently, Gaza transformed into what Filiu describes as the “incubator of Palestinian nationalism.”
As the 1950s unfolded, guerrilla fighters known as “Fedayin” began targeting Israeli civilians and military, leading to severe retaliatory strikes from the Israeli army. This cycle of violence has persisted, culminating in the tragic events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a devastating attack, prompting a fierce Israeli military response.
In 1967, following the Six-Day War, Israel occupied the Gaza Strip, with Jewish settlers taking control of significant portions of the land. The discontent among Palestinians simmered, erupting into the first Intifada in 1987, which began in a refugee camp and spread throughout the West Bank. Yasser Arafat, once the face of the Palestinian struggle, eventually acknowledged the two-state solution, prompting backlash from factions within Gaza, particularly from Hamas, which emerged as a rival Islamist resistance movement.
Since then, Israel’s strategy has involved navigating the complex dynamics between various Palestinian factions, culminating in the withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. Hamas quickly declared victory and secured electoral success, leading to its current authoritarian control over the region, while the international community, including the U.S. and EU, has imposed sanctions against the group.
As the cycle of violence and retaliation continues, the situation in Gaza remains fraught, characterized by periodic military strikes from Israel, termed “mowing the lawn” by experts, as efforts to establish lasting peace seem increasingly elusive.