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Dec 5, 2023

War Between Israel and Gaza: The History and its Effects

The devastating effects of the city being bombed. Children are being separated from their families. Hospitals are runing out of resources. Thousands of homes are being destroyed. Learn more below to support this cause.



The original land of Palestine was known as the Ottoman Empire until its defeat in 1922 when last Ottoman Sultan, Mehmed VI, left the capital of Constantinople.

Britain then took control of the area which is currently known as Palestine and ruled this part of the Middle East, in World War One. The land was inhabited by a Jewish minority and Arab majority along with other smaller ethnic groups.

However, tensions between the two groups grew when the international committee gave the UK the task of establishing a "national home" in Palestine for Jewish people. This order rooted from the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which was a pledge made by then Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Britain's Jewish community. It established a British mandate over Palestine.


Jews believed Palestine was the home of their ancestors while Arabs claimed Palestine as their home and opposed moving out of the area. During World War II, as the prosecution of Jews increased, they fled to Palestine. This led to an incrase in violence amongst Arabs and Jews. Then in 1947, the UN voted for Palestine to be split into two separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem becoming an international city. Jewish and Arab militias fought over this for months, and the day after Israel declared statehood, five Arab countries attacked in response.


Thousands of Palestinians had to flee or were forced out of their homes. This was called Al Nakba, or "The Catastrophe." By the time the fighting ended in the following year, Israel now controlled most of the territory. Jordan became known as the West Bank and Egypt occupied Gaza. Jerusalem was divided between west Israeli forces, and east Jordanian forces. No peace agreement was ever reached, leading to more wars and fighting in the following decades.



Here is a map showing the Gaza Strip, Israel, and the West Bank. Notice how much territory Israel has taken up.


Current Conflict Between Israel and the Gaza Strip


The current conflict is centered around the Gaza Strip. Israel forces have surrounded Gaza City by cutting off supplies, food, and water to the Palestinians living in that land. It is governed by the Palestinian militant group Hamas which is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and the European Union.


It rooted from Hamas launching rocket attacks into Israel which prompted Israeli airstrikes and military attacks in retaliation. Both sides have escalated the situation which has led to fatal casualties and destruction on both sides. Women, children, and families are being killed off by the thousands. Hospitals are being bombed in Gaza and currently, over 10,000 Palestinians have been killed.


There have been efforts by various international organizations and countries calling for ceasefires and negotiations to reach a lasting peace agreement. However, this remains a difficult situation as reaching a resolution resurfaces historical grievances and political complexities.

Palestinians are fighting for their liberation; they want their homes back from Israel, while Israelians believe they have a right to the land.


If you are interested in learning more and joining the fight for liberation, here are some links below:



Just $30 can provide the Central Blood Bank Society in Gaza with 16 bags and up to $200 will provide food to two families.


Check out all these resources to learn more about Gaza and the different methods you can help with: https://afsc.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/Recommended%20Readings%20and%20Media%20on%20Gaza.pdf


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