Gaza

I

Introduction

Gaza (Arabic, Ghazze), principal city of the Gaza Strip, approximately 24 km (15 mi) from the Egyptian border, seaport located on the Mediterranean coast. Gaza is an ancient city, and has both historical and current political importance. It sits astride the Via Maris, or coastal route, connecting Egypt and the African continent with historical centres of Muslim Empires to the north, and Europe beyond. Gaza is the centre of commercial and administrative activity for the Gaza Strip, which takes its name from the city. It is currently the headquarters for the Palestine National Authority, though this is provisional. Population of the Gaza Strip 1,482,405 (2007 estimate).

II

Economy

The city serves as the main transport junction of the Gaza Strip, and it contains some small industry such as crafts and food processing. The city also has a small port, primarily used for a local fishing fleet. Economic development in Gaza languished under Egyptian (1948-1967) and Israeli (1967-1994) occupation. The city has serious deficiencies in housing, infrastructure, and commercial development. Residents of Gaza, Muslim Palestinian Arabs, are divided between the indigenous residents of the city and those who came as refugees during the Israeli War of Independence in 1948. There is a class distinction in Gaza, with those living in refugee camps having the lowest social status.

III

Places of Interest

A number of notable archaeological sites, dating from antiquity to the Ottoman period, can be found in Gaza. The city also houses several important mosques, such as the Al Omari Great Mosque, El Sayyed Hashem Mosque, and the Ali Bin Marvan Mosque. The Greek Orthodox church dates back to the 5th century. Fragments of Greek mosaics and parts of a Roman Byzantine cemetery have been preserved. The traditional Al Qissariya Market and the new Arts and Crafts Village trade in gold, pottery, embroidery, rugs, copper, and modern art.

IV

History

A

Beginnings

In ancient times Gaza was much more prosperous than today. It was one of the five cities of the Philistines, a community believed to have come from southern Europe to the Gaza area, then controlled by Egypt. Gaza is perhaps best known from the story of Samson's destruction of the Philistine temple. Since the seventh century ad the city has had a predominantly Muslim character, though Jews were often residents of the city until the early 20th century. During this century Gaza has expanded, in terms of both population and area.