The Gaza Strip issue is a localized part of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Gaza Strip is a small territory located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Israel and Egypt. The conflict originated with the election of the Islamist political party Hamas in 2005 and 2006, in the Gaza Strip, and escalated with the split of the Palestinian Authority Palestinian government into the Fatah government in the West Bank and the Hamas government in Gaza. The Gaza Strip was under Egyptian military rule from 1949 to 1956 and again from 1957 to 1967. In the Six-Day War of June 1967, the Gaza Strip was taken by Israel, which occupied the region for the next quarter-century.
The Gaza Strip issue is complex and multifaceted, with many underlying factors contributing to the ongoing conflict. Some of the key issues include:
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Palestinian refugees: Most Palestinian refugees and their descendants live in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as in neighboring Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Neither they nor their descendants have been allowed by Israel to return to their homes - Israel says this would overwhelm the country and threaten its existence as a Jewish state.
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Occupation: Israel still occupies the West Bank, and although it pulled out of Gaza, the UN still regards that piece of land as occupied territory.
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Settlements: Israel has built settlements in the West Bank, which are held to be illegal under international law.
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Hamas: Gaza is ruled by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has fought Israel many times. Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and the European Union.
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Blockade: Israel and Egypt tightly control Gazas borders to stop weapons getting to Hamas. Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank say they are suffering because of Israeli actions and restrictions. Living conditions in the Gaza Strip are typically poor for a number of reasons, including inadequate water, sewage, and electrical services, high rates of unemployment, and sanctions imposed by Israel on the region.
The Gaza Strip issue has resulted in numerous violent clashes between Israel and Hamas, resulting in the deaths of many people on both sides. The conflict has also drawn in regional powers, including Egypt, Iran, Turkey, and Qatar, supporting different sides of the conflict.
