Due to airstrikes in Gaza, hundreds of thousands of individuals have been compelled to abandon their residences and overcrowd areas, such as hospitals, leaving limited space available. Among the Middle Eastern cities, Gaza ranks as one of the smallest and most densely populated.
Based on data from an annual Demographia report, the urban region surrounding Gaza City accommodates approximately 2 million inhabitants within an 88-square-mile area. This translates to around 21,000 individuals per square mile, as Demographia assesses density by examining the urban footprint of cities rather than official administrative boundaries.
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According to data from the European Commission, the population density in many sections of Gaza City exceeds 500 people per 100 square meters. The Khan Yunis and Nuseirat refugee camp areas in the Gaza Strip are also densely populated, with over 250 people per 100 square meters in many places, and even up to over 400 people per 100 square meters in the refugee camp.
A report by Demographia revealed that while Gaza City is not as densely packed as some of the world's most overcrowded cities like Dhaka, Bangladesh, which has over 80,000 people per square mile, it still surpasses global cities such as London and is three times denser than Los Angeles, the most densely populated area in the US.
Population density of built-up urban areas
As of Wednesday, Israel has hit hundreds of targets in Gaza in response to Hamas deadly and unprecedented attack early Saturday morning on Israel.
According to authorities from both sides, over 1,000 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza, with at least 1,200 casualties recorded in Israel.
In terms of population density, both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are bustling urban centers. Jerusalem, in particular, boasts the highest population density in the region, estimated at 21,988 individuals per square mile. Although Gaza City is slightly less dense, it still contains a significant population of 21,034 individuals per square mile.