Gaza’s History: War, Blockades, and the Fight for Control

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Gaza’s History: War, Blockades, and the Fight for Control \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Gaza Strip has been at the center of wars, uprisings, and political struggles for decades. Control of the territory has shifted from Egypt to Israel, then to the Palestinian Authority, and ultimately to Hamas. The 2023 Hamas attack on Israel triggered a devastating war, with over 47,000 Palestinians killed and Gaza’s population displaced. Now, with a fragile ceasefire in place, U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for Palestinian resettlement and U.S. “ownership” of Gaza has sparked new controversy.

Gaza’s Conflict History: Quick Looks

Decades of Conflict: Gaza has been a battleground for wars, occupations, and blockades for over 75 years.
Egyptian Rule (1948-1967): After Israel’s creation, Egypt took control of Gaza, where Palestinian refugees remained stateless.
Israeli Occupation (1967-1993): Israel captured Gaza in the Six-Day War, leading to Jewish settlements and Palestinian uprisings.
Palestinian Authority (1993-2005): Under the Oslo Accords, Gaza was transferred to Palestinian control, but peace efforts collapsed.
Hamas Takeover (2006-Present): Hamas seized power from the Palestinian Authority, leading to wars with Israel and a crippling blockade.
2023 Hamas Attack: The October 7 attack killed 1,200 Israelis, triggering Israel’s deadliest military campaign in Gaza.
Massive Destruction: Over 47,000 Palestinians killed, 90% of the population displaced, and cities left in ruins.
Trump’s Controversial Proposal: Trump suggested U.S. “ownership” of Gaza and resettlement of displaced Palestinians elsewhere, sparking international backlash.
Current Ceasefire & Uncertainty: A fragile ceasefire is in place, but if peace talks fail, war could resume in March 2025.
Future Unknown: Will Hamas remain in power? Will Gaza be rebuilt? Can a lasting peace be achieved?

Gaza’s Long History of Conflict and Control

The Gaza Strip has been a flashpoint of conflict for decades, shifting between Egyptian, Israeli, and Palestinian rule. From wars and uprisings to blockades and political takeovers, Gaza remains one of the most contested regions in the Middle East.

Now, as negotiators work toward a second ceasefire phase, Trump’s suggestion that displaced Palestinians be permanently resettled elsewhere and that the U.S. “take ownership” of Gaza has intensified debates over the region’s future.

1948 – 1967: Egyptian Rule of Gaza

Before 1948, Gaza was part of the British-controlled Middle East. However, after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Egypt took control of the small coastal strip, wedged between Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea.

During this war, 700,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes in what they call the Nakba (“catastrophe”). Tens of thousands ended up in Gaza, where they were stateless refugees.

Under Egyptian military rule, Palestinians in Gaza:

Lacked citizenship rights from Egypt.
Were not allowed to return to homes in Israel.
Relied heavily on UNRWA aid for survival.
Formed fedayeen groups, which carried out raids into Israel.

1967 – 1993: Israel Takes Control

In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured Gaza from Egypt, along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Over the next few decades:

Israel built more than 20 Jewish settlements in Gaza.
The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) sought independence.
The First Palestinian Intifada (1987-1993) erupted, bringing mass protests and violence.
Hamas was founded in Gaza, becoming a powerful militant and political group.

In 1979, Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel, but declined to take back control of Gaza, leaving its status unresolved.

1993 – 2005: Palestinian Authority Gains Control

The Oslo Accords of 1993, brokered by the U.S., allowed the newly formed Palestinian Authority (PA) to govern Gaza and parts of the West Bank.

Hopes for peace were short-lived due to:

Hamas suicide bombings inside Israel.
The 1995 assassination of Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin by a Jewish extremist.
The election of Benjamin Netanyahu, who opposed many Oslo policies.
The Second Intifada (2000-2005), a violent Palestinian uprising.

As violence waned, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005, evacuating all settlers and military forces.

2005 – 2023: Hamas Takes Over Gaza

After Israel’s withdrawal, Hamas won Palestinian elections in 2006. A year later, they violently expelled the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, seizing full control of Gaza.

In response:

Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade, restricting movement and trade.
Unemployment and poverty skyrocketed in Gaza.
Hamas launched rocket attacks on Israel, leading to repeated wars.

Despite the destruction, Hamas grew stronger, acquiring more advanced weapons, maintaining control of border crossings, and surviving multiple Israeli military offensives.

2023 Hamas Attack and Israel’s Military Response

On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel retaliated with one of the deadliest military operations in Gaza’s history.

Over 47,000 Palestinians killed, according to local health authorities.
Mass displacement, with 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people forced from their homes.
Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins, with entire neighborhoods destroyed.
Israel targeted Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif.

A temporary ceasefire in early 2024 led to the release of hostages and prisoners, but the war’s next phase remains uncertain.

Trump’s Controversial Proposal: U.S. “Ownership” of Gaza

During a speech on February 6, 2025, President Donald Trump suggested:

Palestinians displaced by war should be permanently resettled outside Gaza.
The U.S. should “take ownership” of Gaza and oversee its development.

While Trump’s wording was vague, it sparked immediate backlash:

Palestinians view Gaza as essential to a future Palestinian state.
Arab nations reject U.S. control, fearing it would escalate tensions.
Israel has not signaled support, instead prioritizing its own security concerns.

The Ceasefire and Gaza’s Uncertain Future

As of early 2025, the first phase of the ceasefire has resulted in:

Hamas releasing 33 hostages (8 confirmed dead).
Israel pulling back forces from northern Gaza.
Humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza, easing severe shortages.

Negotiations for a final peace deal begin Monday, led by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt. However, if no agreement is reached, the war could resume by March.