The Gaza Strip – or Gaza – is a 140-square-mile piece of land along the Mediterranean Sea between Egypt and Israel. It is comprised of the cities Rafah, Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah, Jabalia, Al-Nazlah and Gaza.
The Egyptians previously occupied the Gaza Strip by way of military rule from 1949 to 1956 and again from 1957 to 1967. The Israelis assumed occupation over the strip in 1967 during the Six Day War beginning with an airstrike that destroyed the Egyptian air force. The conflict began on June 5, 1967 and ended on June 10, resulting in Israel’s possession of The Holy Basin including the Old City of Jerusalem and Gaza as well as the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
“The Six Day War was one of the greatest victories in the history of Israel,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in 2017.
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The Gaza Strip, where millions of Palestinians presently reside, was later seized by Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist group that brutally opposes Israel’s existence.
Violence between Israelis and Palestinians has occurred for years not exclusively to Israel, but also in Gaza and the West Bank, killing thousands of civilians in years past.
Hamas, classified as a terrorist group by the U.S. State Department, has brutalized and killed thousands of civilians, including several Americans, during a surprise attack on Israel the morning of Oct. 7, firing rockets from the Gaza Strip. The sound of rocket launches could be heard in Gaza as residents reported armed clashes along the separation fence with Israel, near the southern town of Khan Younis.
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More than 100 Israeli civilians were taken by Hamas terrorists and are being held hostage in Gaza. Qatari mediators are negotiating with Hamas officials to release Israeli people that are presently captive. Hostages include civilians from ages of infancy to the elderly. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated he is aware of reports from Sunday that Americans may be among the hostages. As of Monday morning, the Biden administration has yet not confirmed the validity of this.
The Israel Defense Forces surrounded the Gaza border on Monday where tens of thousands of Israeli troops are stationed and have regained control of the area. The same day, Israeli Energy and Infrastructure Minister Israel Katz ordered the water supply to Gaza Strip be cut off.
“I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip,” said Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at the IDF Southern Command in Beersheba. “There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed.”
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Gallant added, “We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly.”
Beer Sheva, a city around 25 miles south of Gaza, is aiding wounded persons, including those in serious and critical condition.
