Gaza

The Gaza Strip, often referred to simply as Gaza, is a small coastal territory in the Southern Levant that is north of Egypt's Sinai, East of the Mediterranean Sea, and South-West of Israel. 

The long-standing ruler of the Gaza Strip is Hamas, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by most Western states and international governmental organizations. Under Hamas, Gaza has been in a state of conflict with Israel. Several other terrorist organizations reside in Gaza and take part in the hostilities, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, ISIS offshoots and others. 

Gaza is home to 1.5 million Palestinians, largely Sunni Muslim, some who identify as refugees or descendants of refugees from territory now belonging to Israel. Gaza has a very young population, but is very impoverished due to mismanagement, corruption, conflict, and the redirection of taxes and financial aid to warfare. 

Due to the conflict between Gaza and Israel, the territory has been under blockade since 2007, though it shares one border and crossing, Rafah, with Egypt. A significant amount of smuggling occurs on this border, often through tunnels.

Gaza is surrounded by defensive structures created by the Israel Defense Forces to counter Gazan terrorist attacks. This includes a sensor fence that rings the perimeter, an underground barrier to prevent and detect tunneling, and a naval barrier to prevent naval frogman infiltration.

Rockets fired from Gaza have presented a major strategic challenge to Israel. Military infrastructure runs through Gaza's cities, including rocket infrastructure. Launch sites, munitions storage, command & control centers, bunkers and more can be found throughout Gaza, much of it underground. In the past, Hamas leaders have claimed that 500 kilometers of tunnel systems are laced throughout the Strip. 

Gaza was part of the British Mandate after the territory was relinquished by the UK from the Ottoman Empire after World War I. After the Mandate dissolved, it was seized during Israel's War of Independence by Egypt, and ruled by the Egyptian puppet All-Palestine Government. During the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured the territory, and it was not returned along with other Egyptian holdings after the two made peace in the 1970s. 21 Israeli settlements were established within Gaza, but in 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew from the Strip. In 2006, the Palestinians held legislative elections, but when Hamas won, there was a civil war, and Hamas seized full control of Gaza.

 From the disengagement onwards, Hamas and other terrorist organizations increased terrorist attacks against Israelis, and several operations have been fought to quell Gazan attacks, including 2008's Cast Lead, 2011's Pillar of Defense, 2014's Protective Edge, and 2021's Guardian of the Walls.

US-backed Gaza aid org. says Hamas is targeting its staff in Gaza

"Hamas has placed bounties on both our American security personnel and Palestinian aid workers—offering cash rewards to anyone who injures or kills them."

 Palestinians from clans hold guns and melee weapons to secure aid trucks in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, June 25, 2025.
 ISRAEL’S AMBASSADOR to the UN Danny Danon speaks at a Security Council meeting this week. The Jewish state’s approach has always been the same as that of Caleb and Joshua: ‘Let us by all means, go up… for we shall surely overcome it,’ says the writer.

Echos of biblical proportions: Israel's war with Iran mirrors story of Moses's 12 spies - opinion

 Hakham Muhammad Issa al-Issa, June 28, 2025.

Security forces confirm death of senior Hamas military wing member in Gaza strikes

People react as Palestinian casualties, who were waiting to receive aid, are brought into Nasser hospital, in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, June 17, 2025.

Members of Abu Shabab have taken control of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis - report


Trump says Gaza ceasefire will be reached next week

Trump's comments come after his recent success in arranging an Iran-Israel ceasefire, ending a 12 day war.

 L to R: US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against backdrop of hostage posters.

Chameleon First Response: Helping soldiers mentally return from the war zone

HEALTH AFFAIRS: Sean founded Chameleon First Response in the hope that no other soldier would lose his freedom or life over a situation that is avoidable.

 CHAMELEON FIRST RESPONSE founder Sean P. appeared on an episode of ‘Dr. Phil’ to discuss his organization’s work and the realities of life in Israel.

Israeli official to discuss Iran, Gaza in Monday visit to White House

Dermer, Israel's strategic affairs minister, will also discuss the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington later this summer, it said.

 Head of the negotiations for hostages release Minister Ron Dermer speaks at the Jewish News Syndicate conference in Jerusalem, on April 28, 2025.

Katz instructs IDF to prepare 'enforcement plan' against Iran

Zamir said that Iran has faced severe setbacks since the war, and that the blow to Iran may advance the IDF's goals in Gaza. 

 (L-R) Defense Minister Israel Katz, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

IDF, Netanyahu reject report on killing of Gazans at aid sites in alleged war crime

Israel's Military Advocate General ordered a probe into possible war crimes over claims that IDF troops deliberately fired at Palestinian civilians.

People react as Palestinian casualties, who were waiting to receive aid, are brought into Nasser hospital, in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, June 17, 2025.

WATCH: IDF destroys terror tunnel in Gaza's Beit Hanun used in lethal 2014 attack

The tunnel which was destroyed was approximately a kilometer in length.

 IDF soldiers seal and destroy a terror tunnel in the Gaza Strip, June 2025.

My Word: Arik Einstein’s songs and the Iran war

Israel faces war with resilience, blending Arik Einstein's timeless songs and Operation Rising Lion's strength to overcome adversity.

 ARIK EINSTEIN with musician Yoni Rechter (left): ‘It’s difficult to describe the impact of this quintessential Sabra singer and actor.’

US considers $30 b. Iran civilian nuclear deal, Iran denies any meeting with US next week

NGO petitions High Court to allow safe passage to Gaza hospital • Ireland to relocate Tehran embassy staff • IDF amps up strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon

 An Iranian newspaper with a cover photo of US President Donald Trump and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is seen in Tehran, Iran, May 11, 2025.

Gov't instructs IDF to present plan preventing Hamas's aid looting

This follows recent reports of Hamas terrorists once again taking control of aid in the Gaza Strip and stealing it from civilians, the statement read.

 Palestinians gather to collect what remains of relief supplies from the distribution center of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 5, 2025.

'Life-threatening risk': Security leaks on social media endanger troops on the ground - committee

"We are in a situation where very significant information, which could assist the enemy, is freely available on social media, and we must stop this,” a Yesh Atid MK said.

 An Israeli tank manoeuvres in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, June 17, 2025.

IDF's campaign in Gaza may take new form after Israel weakened Iran in 12-day war - analysis

The question now is whether the campaign in Gaza takes a new form due to the fact that Iran has been weakened by the IDF’s 12-day war there.

 Troops from the 252nd Reserve Division operating in northern Gaza, June 25, 2025.