How the Gaza Strip came to be | A brief history of Gaza | CBC Kids News

Summary

The video explains the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It traces the history of the region, starting from its British control after World War I, to the establishment of Israel in 1948, and subsequent wars. The Gaza Strip, a small area with 2.3 million Palestinians, became a point of tension after Hamas took control in 2006, following elections. Israel and Egypt control the borders, and restrictions have worsened conditions for Gazans. The conflict escalated in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, leading to Israel's retaliation and ongoing war.

Takeaways

• ⚔️ There is a war between Israel and Hamas, the latter of which controls the Gaza Strip.
• 🗺️ The Gaza Strip is a small piece of land, around 360 square kilometers, about the size of Montreal.
• 👥 Around 2.3 million people live in Gaza, most of whom are Palestinians, with many being refugees or descendants of refugees.
• 🧒 Nearly half of Gaza's population is under 18 years old, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
• 📜 The Gaza Strip came to be after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, when many Palestinians fled or were forced to flee their homes.
• ⚔️ Israel took control of Gaza during the Six Day War in 1967 but withdrew its military and settlements in 2005.
• 🗳️ Hamas won elections in 2006 and took control of Gaza, while Fatah governs the West Bank.
• 💣 Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S., and other countries, calling for the destruction of Israel.
• 🚫 Israel and Egypt control who can enter and leave Gaza, which has led to difficult living conditions for those in the area.
• 🔥 The current conflict escalated after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, sparking Israel's retaliation and a siege on Gaza.

Q & A

What is the Gaza Strip and where is it located?

The Gaza Strip is a small area of land, approximately 360 square kilometers, located between Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea. It is home to about 2.3 million people.

Who lives in the Gaza Strip?

The Gaza Strip is primarily inhabited by Palestinians, many of whom are refugees or descendants of refugees from the ongoing conflict with Israel.

Why is the Gaza Strip a central point of conflict?

The Gaza Strip has been a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for over 75 years due to its history of displacement, wars, and political control by groups like Hamas, which opposes Israel's existence.

How did the Gaza Strip come into existence?

The Gaza Strip emerged after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, when Egypt took control of the area. Israel later captured the strip in the Six Day War of 1967.

What role did the United Nations play in the creation of Israel and the conflict in Gaza?

After World War II, the United Nations proposed dividing Mandatory Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. Arab Palestinians opposed this plan, leading to conflict.

Why did Palestinians flee their homes during the 1948 war?

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were forced to leave during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, seeking refuge in areas like the Gaza Strip.

How did Hamas gain control of the Gaza Strip?

Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian elections, defeating the Fatah party. This led to a conflict between the two groups, with Hamas taking control of Gaza and Fatah controlling the West Bank.

What does Hamas aim to achieve in the region?

Hamas aims to drive Israel out of occupied territories and establish an Islamic state. It is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S., and several other countries.

What has been Israel's response to Hamas governing Gaza?

Israel, along with Egypt, controls entry into and out of Gaza and regulates resources like water and electricity to protect against militant attacks. This has resulted in severe restrictions on Gazan life.

What triggered the current war between Israel and Hamas?

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, killing 1,400 people. Israel responded by declaring war on Hamas and bombarding the Gaza Strip.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 The Gaza Strip and Its Central Role in Conflict

This paragraph introduces the Gaza Strip, a small, densely populated region that is central to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The territory, home to 2.3 million Palestinians, is often at the heart of Israeli-Palestinian tensions. The region has a deep historical significance, with most residents being refugees or descendants of refugees. Nearly half of the population is under 18, emphasizing the young demographic trapped in a longstanding conflict. The narrative sets the stage for an explanation of how the region became embroiled in war and its pivotal role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

05:00

📜 The Historical Origins of the Gaza Strip

This section traces the historical development of the Gaza Strip, beginning with British control of Palestine after World War I and the subsequent creation of Israel in 1948. It explains how the United Nations proposed dividing the land between Jews and Arab Palestinians, a plan rejected by the latter, leading to war. The result was the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, many of whom fled to Gaza. After the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel gained control over Gaza but withdrew in 2005. This paragraph gives a detailed account of the events that shaped the Gaza Strip as a central conflict zone.

⚔️ Hamas and Its Role in the Gaza Conflict

This paragraph focuses on Hamas, the political and militant group that has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. It outlines the group's rise to power after the 2006 elections and the subsequent internal conflict with the Fatah party, which now controls the West Bank. It highlights Hamas's goal to destroy Israel and its classification as a terrorist group by Israel, the U.S., and Canada. Hamas controls various aspects of life in Gaza, from social services to militant activities, and its governance has contributed to the region's isolation, with Israel and Egypt controlling borders and resources.

🚨 Current Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis

This section discusses the recent escalation in violence, beginning with Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to the deaths of 1,400 Israelis. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas, launching airstrikes on Gaza. Thousands of Palestinians have since died, creating a humanitarian crisis in the region. The paragraph highlights the complexities of the conflict and the devastating impact it has had on civilians in both Israel and Gaza.

🔗 Understanding the Complexity of the Gaza Conflict

In this concluding paragraph, the narrator summarizes the complexity of the Gaza Strip's history and its place in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It emphasizes the long-standing nature of the conflict, which has spanned over 75 years, and invites viewers to explore additional resources to gain a deeper understanding. The paragraph also acknowledges the difficulty in fully capturing the nuances of the conflict and directs viewers to further educational material for a broader perspective.

Keywords

💡Gaza Strip

The Gaza Strip is a small, densely populated area of land located between Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea. It covers around 360 square kilometers and is home to about 2.3 million Palestinians, many of whom are refugees or descendants of refugees. The strip is central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict due to its political and geographical significance.

💡Palestinians

Palestinians are the people who live in the regions of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as well as in other areas. Many in Gaza are refugees or descendants of those who were displaced during the Arab-Israeli conflict. Their presence in the region and their claim to the land are central to the ongoing conflict with Israel.

💡Israel

Israel is the Jewish-majority state established in 1948, after declaring independence when British control over Palestine ended. The creation of Israel sparked conflict with Arab Palestinians, many of whom were displaced, and it has been engaged in multiple wars and peace efforts with neighboring territories, including Gaza.

💡Hamas

Hamas is a Palestinian militant and political organization that controls the Gaza Strip. It is considered a terrorist group by many countries, including Israel, the U.S., and Canada. Hamas seeks to establish an Islamic state and has been in conflict with Israel, calling for the destruction of the Israeli state.

💡1948 Arab-Israeli War

This war began after Israel declared independence in 1948, and it led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Israel gained control of much of the region, while Palestinians fled to areas like Gaza. This war set the foundation for the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

💡Six-Day War

The Six-Day War was a conflict in 1967 during which Israel fought neighboring Arab states and gained control over several territories, including the Gaza Strip. This event significantly altered the political and geographic landscape of the region, intensifying the conflict with Palestinians.

💡Palestinian refugees

Palestinian refugees are individuals and families who were displaced from their homes during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Many of them settled in Gaza, and their descendants remain there. They are unable to return to their ancestral lands due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

💡Fatah

Fatah is a Palestinian political party that governs the West Bank, in contrast to Hamas, which controls Gaza. The two factions have been in conflict since 2006, when Hamas won elections in the Gaza Strip. Fatah supports negotiations with Israel, unlike Hamas, which calls for its destruction.

💡Israeli occupation

Israeli occupation refers to Israel's control over territories such as the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. After the Six-Day War, Israel maintained a military presence in Gaza until withdrawing in 2005. The occupation is a significant factor in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as Palestinians seek independence from Israeli control.

💡Humanitarian crisis

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza stems from restrictions imposed by Israel and Egypt on the movement of goods and people in and out of the strip, leading to shortages of resources like water and electricity. This crisis is exacerbated by ongoing conflicts and military actions, as mentioned in the script's reference to the United Nations' concerns.

Highlights

There is a war going on in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.

The Gaza Strip is a small area of land, roughly 360 square kilometers, with a population of about 2.3 million people.

Most people in the Gaza Strip are Palestinians, many of whom are refugees or descendants of refugees.

The Gaza Strip has been a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for 75 years.

Britain controlled the region after World War I and handed it to the United Nations after World War II to come up with a plan for the land.

The U.N. proposed splitting the region into an area for Jews and an area for Arab Palestinians, which led to tensions.

Israel declared itself a state in 1948, leading to a war that displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

One of the areas where displaced Palestinians fled was Gaza, which later became known as the Gaza Strip.

Israel took control of the Gaza Strip during the Six-Day War in 1967, allowing the establishment of Jewish settlements.

In 2005, Israel withdrew its military and Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip.

In 2006, Hamas won elections in the Palestinian territories, taking control of the Gaza Strip.

Hamas is a group that has called for the destruction of Israel and is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, Canada, and the U.S.

Since Hamas took power, Israel and Egypt have controlled who can enter and leave the Gaza Strip, and Israel controls resources like water and electricity.

Hamas has been criticized for focusing on militant activities instead of governing effectively, leading to harsh conditions for Gazans.

The current conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack that killed 1,400 people in Israel, leading to an Israeli declaration of war.

Transcripts

There is a war going on at the Middle East

between the country of Israel and a group called Hamas,

which controls the territory called the Gaza Strip.

But what is the Gaza Strip?

Who lives there?

And why is it at the centre of the most recent conflict?

As briefly as we can,

this is

So the Gaza area was named after the city of Gaza,

which is right about here.

The Gaza Strip is a strip of land.

I'll get to why it's a strip later.

The entire area is around 360 square kilometres,

which is about the same size as Montreal.

The Gaza Strip is surrounded by Israel,

Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea.

About 2.3 million people live within that area.

The people who live there are known as Palestinians.

Most are refugees or descendants of refugees

who cannot return to their ancestral homeland

because of the ongoing conflict with Israel.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health,

nearly half of the population is under 18.

So how did the Gaza Strip come to be?

And what does it have to do with the wider conflict

between Israel and Hamas?

To understand how we got here, we need to go back in time.

Britain took control of the region, then known as Palestine,

or Mandatory Palestine, after the First World War.

After the Second World War, Britain asked the United Nations

to come up with a plan for the land.

One of the challenges coming out of the war was to find a place

for the large number of Jewish refugees

displaced because of the Holocaust.

The U.N. decided that the land should be divided

into an area for Arab Palestinians,

most of whom were Muslim, and an area for Jews.

The Arab Palestinians did not agree with that plan.

They didn't want a Jewish homeland to be created

on land where they already lived.

On the day that British control of Palestine was set to expire,

Israel declared itself a state, and that sparked a war.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians

fled or were forced to flee.

One of the places they went was the area

in and around Gaza City.

By the end of the war, Israel had gained

most of the territory, leaving a strip under Egyptian control,

hence the name the Gaza Strip.

Israel took control of the whole area during a conflict

called the Six Day War in 1967.

It also allowed 21 Jewish settlements to be created

in that territory.

For years, Palestinian groups have fought

against Israeli occupation.

There have also been attempts to make peace,

but they have failed.

In 2005, Israel withdrew its military and all

Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip.

In 2006, with pressure from the United States,

elections were held across the Palestinian territories,

which include the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Hamas won those elections, beating out the Fatah party.

This led to a conflict between the two groups.

Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip

and Fatah took charge of the West Bank.

One important thing to know about Hamas is that

they have called for the destruction of Israel.

Hamas has said it wants to drive Israel

off all occupied territories and set up an Islamic state.

Hamas governs different aspects of life in Gaza,

from politics to social services to militant activities.

Hamas is considered a terrorist group by many countries,

including Israel, Canada, and the U.S.

Since Hamas took power, Israel and Egypt

have controlled who can enter and leave the Gaza Strip.

Israel also controls resources,

such as water and electricity.

Israel says those measures are taken to protect Israel

from attacks by militant groups in Gaza.

The restrictions have made life very difficult

for those who live in Gaza.

The United Nations has said that the limitations

on Gazans threatened human rights in some cases.

On the other hand, Hamas has been criticized for

using Gaza's resources to fight Israel

and not governing effectively.

All of this back story means the Gaza Strip

has been a part of the conflict between Israelis

and Palestinians for 75 years.

And that brings us to the current situation.

On October 7, 2023,

Hamas militants launched a brutal attack that killed

1,400 people in Israel,

according to the Israeli government.

Israel retaliated by declaring war on Hamas

and bombing much of the Gaza Strip.

Thousands of Palestinians have died since the Israel

siege began, according to the Gaza-based Ministry of Health.

And that is how this small piece of land

became the centre of this war.

For CBC Kids News , I'm Arjun Ram.

The story of the Gaza Strip is a difficult and complex one.

To help us tell it,

we spoke to several experts

who shared their knowledge

and perspective on the situation.

To learn more about the Israel-Palestinian conflict,

you can watch our video about it.

The link is in the description,

or you can find it on