The Gaza conflict of 2023-2024 has triggered a tragic humanitarian crisis, exacerbating the ongoing suffering of the civilian population. The conflict erupted in October 2023 and rapidly escalated, resulting in widespread destruction and a severe humanitarian emergency in Gaza.

Civilian Casualties and Displacement

The conflict has led to significant civilian casualties, with women and children making up a substantial portion of the victims. Tens of thousands have been killed or injured amid Israel's intensive airstrikes and ground assaults. The violence has forced approximately 80% of Gaza's residents to flee their homes, with many now living in overcrowded shelters that lack basic necessities.

Devastation of Infrastructure

Gaza's infrastructure has been extensively damaged, including critical facilities such as hospitals, schools, and residential areas. The destruction of vital infrastructure has severely hindered relief operations and worsened the hardship faced by civilians. The few hospitals that remain functional are overwhelmed, struggling to care for the wounded amid severe shortages of medical supplies and staff.

Challenges in Humanitarian Access

Israel has restricted humanitarian access to Gaza, creating severe obstacles for delivering aid. Border closures and security concerns have hindered the flow of essential supplies, including food and medicine. International organizations and local non-profits continue their work under extremely challenging conditions, but the level of aid provided is insufficient to meet the overwhelming needs.

Water and Sanitation Issues

The ongoing conflict has worsened Gaza's already dire water and sanitation situation. Damage to water infrastructure has left countless people without access to clean drinking water, heightening the risk of waterborne illnesses. The disruption of sanitation services has further led to unhygienic living conditions for most of the population.

Psychological Effects

The psychological impact on Gaza's people is profound. Continued exposure to violence, loss, and uncertainty has left many—particularly children—traumatized. Mental health services are inadequate, and the need for psychological support far exceeds the available resources.

Global Response

The international community has called for ceasefires and increased humanitarian assistance, but efforts to achieve lasting peace have faced numerous obstacles. Humanitarian organizations are advocating for consistent access to Gaza to provide much-needed relief and restore essential services.

Long-term Impacts

The long-term impacts of the 2023-2024 Gaza conflict are likely to include worsening poverty, continued displacement, and deep psychological scars. Significant international support will be necessary for reconstruction, with a focus on sustainable development to address the underlying causes of the conflict and improve the living conditions of Gaza's people.

Overview of Gaza

The Gaza Strip is a 25-mile-long, 141-square-mile (365 square kilometers) coastal area that is home to a growing population of over two million people. Despite being a small region, Gaza is globally recognized, though few truly understand its history, culture, and overall situation.

Early History of Gaza

Gaza's history dates back to the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages. During the Bronze Age, Egyptians settled in Gaza and built the first fortified citadel. Various civilizations, including the Philistines, Egyptians, Neo-Assyrians, Neo-Babylonians, and Persians, left their marks on Gaza.

The Philistines ruled the area during the Iron Age, from around the 12th century BCE. The Old Testament story of Samson took place in Gaza's streets during this period. The term "Palestine" comes from "Philistia," a name used by Greek authors for the Philistine region.

Gaza was conquered by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE and remained under Greek rule for a few centuries. The Roman Empire took control of Gaza in the late 1st century BCE as part of its conquests in the eastern Mediterranean.

Gaza embraced Islam in 634 CE and remained under the rule of various Muslim dynasties for centuries. During the Crusades, Islamic rule was temporarily interrupted, but Saladin reclaimed Gaza in 1178.

The Mamluks, an elite military caste, controlled Gaza from the late 13th century until the early 16th century. The area then became part of the Ottoman Empire from the 16th century until 1917. During the Ottoman period, Gaza gained importance as a strategic location along trade routes and a center for agriculture. Ottoman authorities carried out various infrastructure projects, such as building mosques, markets, and public buildings.

After World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to administer Palestine, including Gaza, in 1920. During the British Mandate, Gaza became part of the Southern District, and British policies facilitated Jewish immigration, increasing competition between Jewish and Arab communities for land and resources. In 1948, British rule ended, and the state of Israel was established.

Gaza Before the 1948 War

Before the 1948 war, Gaza City flourished as a market town, playing a vital role in the collection and distribution of citrus, wheat, and barley from the district. The rest of Gaza was rural, with about 80,000 people living across the territory. The population included many farmers and landowners managing citrus groves that extended beyond the future borders of the Gaza Strip.

Changes in Gaza After the Wars of 1948 and 1967

In 1948, following the creation of Israel and the subsequent war, Palestinians sought refuge in Gaza after fleeing or being expelled from their homes in places like Beersheba, Ramla, Jaffa, and other areas. Gaza experienced the highest per capita influx of refugees in the Levant, with its population tripling by the late 1940s as over 200,000 refugees arrived. These refugees survived with limited resources, local goodwill, and assistance from the Egyptian army.

Economic Situation After 1948 and Egyptian Control

Limited job opportunities led to competition between locals and refugees for basic goods, causing wages to fall below subsistence levels. Gaza's economy became reliant on imports due to severed access to local resources and regional trade routes. During the 1950s and 1960s, the Egyptian army controlled the 25-mile coastal strip from Sinai to Ashkelon and administered Gaza under military rule.

The 1967 War and Israeli Control

Israel took control of the Gaza Strip during the 1967 war, and an influx of Palestinians fleeing the West Bank increased Gaza's population to 394,000, with at least 60% being refugees. The Israeli army remained in Gaza to govern the territory and protect Israeli settlements, leading to growing resentment among Palestinians.

Intifadas and the Rise of Hamas

The first Palestinian intifada began in 1987 after four Palestinian workers were killed by an Israeli truck in Gaza. This sparked protests, and Hamas was formed during this time, challenging Yasser Arafat's secular Fatah party. In 1993, the Oslo Accords established the Palestinian Authority and granted limited Palestinian control in Gaza and parts of the West Bank.

Palestine and Geographical Separation

Palestine consists of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. While the West Bank and Jerusalem are connected, Gaza is isolated from the other Palestinian territories. Gaza and the West Bank are only 50 kilometers apart, but Palestinians must obtain Israeli permits to travel between them. Since the second intifada in 2000, movement between Gaza and the West Bank has been heavily restricted.

The Blockade of Gaza

Since the summer of 2007, Gaza has been under a blockade by Israel. Israel maintains strict control over Gaza's airspace, coastal waters, and border crossings, determining what goods and people can enter or leave the region. The blockade has stifled Gaza's economy, restricted imports and exports, and contributed to widespread poverty.

Cycles of Hostilities

Gaza has experienced recurring conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinian militant groups. These conflicts have resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths and extensive damage to housing, businesses, schools, and essential infrastructure.

2023 War

On October 7, 2023, armed groups from Gaza entered Israeli towns, attacking Israeli forces and civilians. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas and launched airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza, which led to forced evacuations and left 85% of Gaza's population displaced. More than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed, and the region's infrastructure—including water, electricity, communication, and healthcare facilities—has been devastated. Gaza is now facing a grim new era, vastly different from its pre-war state.