Gaza Unveiled: Unraveling the Enclave's Secrets

Israel is preparing for the next phase of its conflict with Hamas after the militant group's devastating attacks on October 7 resulted in the loss of 1,400 lives. In response to a series of intense airstrikes against the Gaza Strip, which have claimed the lives of at least 2,450 individuals, Israel is mobilizing its troops and military resources along the border of the Hamas-governed area. The United Nations reports that approximately 1.1 million individuals residing in the northern portion of the strip have been advised to evacuate.

As Israel prepares for a ground offensive into Gaza, heres what you need to know about the 140 square-mile enclave - one of the most densely-populated territories on Earth.

What is Gaza?

Gaza, a slender coastal strip, spans approximately 25 miles in length and seven miles in width, making it slightly more than double the size of Washington DC. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Israel to the north and east, and Egypt to the south.

It is one of two Palestinian territories, the other being the larger Israeli-occupied West Bank, which borders Jordan.

Who lives there?

In the 140-square-mile territory, approximately 2 million individuals reside. The vast majority of the population consists of young people, as revealed by the World Health Organization, with 50% being under the age of 18.

According to the CIA World Factbook, almost all inhabitants of Gaza, approximately 98-99%, adhere to the Muslim faith, while the remaining majority practice Christianity.

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What is Gazas history?

Gaza, inhabited for millennia, has gone through various phases: serving as an Egyptian stronghold, functioning as a regal city for the Philistines, and becoming the site of Hebrew Samson's tragic demise at the hands of Delilah.

During the majority of the time from the 16th to the early 20th century, Gaza was under the dominion of the Ottoman Empire. However, following World War I, British authority took hold of the Gaza region.

Following the atrocities of the Holocaust, Jews who were escaping persecution in Europe sought refuge and initiated the most recent competition for the land at the culmination of World War II. In 1947, the United Nations devised a proposition to divide the British Mandate of Palestine into two separate territories, one for Jewish people and another for Arabs. Israel's founder, David Ben Gurion, declared the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. Consequently, over 700,000 Palestinians either fled or were forcibly removed, with the majority being barred from returning.

Following Israel's declaration of independence, Egypt initiated an attack on Israel via the Gaza Strip. Despite Israel's victory, Egypt maintained control over Gaza, resulting in an influx of Palestinian refugees from Israel. These refugees faced dire circumstances, residing in poverty as they were unable to migrate to Egypt or return to their former homes in Israel.

In 1967, a war erupted involving Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. This conflict, referred to as the Six-Day War, led to Israel seizing control of Gaza. Israel held onto Gaza for almost four decades until 2005, when it decided to withdraw its troops and settlers from the region.

Since then, hostilities have regularly broken out between Israel and Palestinian factions including Hamas.

Who controls Gaza now?

Hamas emerged from the Muslim Brotherhood in the late 1920s in Egypt and formed as an Islamic organization with a military wing in 1987. In 2006, they achieved a decisive win in the Palestinian legislative elections, which remain the last elections held in Gaza.

The group views Israel as an illegitimate state and occupier in Gaza. In contrast to the Palestinian Authority and other groups, Hamas refuses to communicate or negotiate with Israel.

Over the years, the group has taken credit for numerous attacks on Israel and has been labeled a terrorist organization by countries such as the United States, the European Union, and Israel. The most recent conflict between Hamas and Israel occurred in 2021, lasting 11 days and resulting in the deaths of at least 250 individuals in Gaza and 13 in Israel.

One of the leading financial supporters of the group is Iran, as confirmed by the US State Department's 2021 report. According to the report, Iran contributes approximately $100 million annually to Hamas, along with other "Palestinian terrorist groups." The State Department further stated that Hamas also receives weapons, training, and additional funds from Iran, and some financial support from Gulf Arab nations.

When did Israels blockade start?

Since 2007, despite Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, the territory remains under strict control through a blockade encompassing land, air, and sea. For close to 17 years, Gaza has been effectively isolated from the rest of the world, enduring harsh limitations on the movement of both goods and individuals.

Palestinians sift through debris in the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes, searching for victims, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, in the southern Gaza Strip's Khan Younis on October 14, 2023. (Image: Mohammed Salem/Reuters)

Gaza conditions are described as a "complete catastrophe" by an official, while Israel gears up for an offensive. The international community, including the UN, has strongly condemned the blockade. According to a report from 2022, the restrictions have significantly affected living conditions in Gaza, leading to dire consequences such as a weakened economy, widespread unemployment, food insecurity, and increased dependency on aid.

Israel considers the blockade crucial in safeguarding its citizens against Hamas. "Israel is concerned that eliminating the blockade would provide Hamas with a more accessible means of smuggling weapons and armament," stated Bilal Saab, Senior Fellow and Founder of the defense and security program at the Middle East Institute.

Although, he told CNN, "frankly it hasnt really done a very good job given the massive tunnel infrastructure that the organization has built over the years."

What are the living conditions like?

Prior to the Hamas attacks and Israel's response in Gaza, the living conditions in the enclave were already extremely poor.

Described as an "open-air prison" by Human Rights Watch, the people in Gaza face severe limitations when it comes to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.

According to 2022 UN data, unemployment levels in Gaza are among the highest globally, with approximately half of the population being unemployed. Additionally, over 80% of the population lives in poverty. In August, the UNRWA stated that the socioeconomic situation in Gaza has been deteriorating steadily for at least the past fifteen years. Tania Hary, executive director of Gisha, an Israeli human rights organization that advocates for the freedom of movement of Palestinians, highlights the unseen crisis described by mental health professionals in Gaza.

Hary informed CNN that despite the bleak statistics, Gaza possesses eight universities and various other colleges. Additionally, the region has a small but productive manufacturing industry, as well as entrepreneurial endeavors in diverse fields and resilient farmers who exhibit innovation. However, the situation has deteriorated significantly following Israel's implementation of a "complete siege" on the enclave as a response to Hamas attacks, resulting in the withholding of crucial provisions such as food, fuel, and water.

Life became increasingly dangerous for the 1.1 million residents of northern Gaza on Friday as Israel instructed them to evacuate southward, leading aid workers to express concerns of a "total catastrophe."

By Sunday, the UN World Food Program cautioned that their supplies were dwindling and unable to sufficiently assist the people of Gaza. Although aid flights have reached Egypt near the Rafah crossing situated along Gaza's southern border, they have not yet reached the enclave.

The death toll is still increasing as the bombardment of the enclave has resulted in more casualties compared to the six-week Israel-Hamas war in 2014. Reporting by CNN's Nic Robertson, Nadeen Ebrahim, and Abbas Al Lawati.