The History of Gaza’s Occupation: A Comprehensive Overview
Gaza, a small yet historically significant region, has been embroiled in various occupations over the centuries. This article aims to provide a detailed historical timeline of Gazan occupation, from its ancient beginnings to the present day.
Ancient Gazan Occupation and Settlement
The history of Gazan occupation dates back more than three millennia. Archaeological records reveal continuous habitation at the site, with the earliest known reference dating to the 18th Dynasty of Egypt (15th century BC) by Pharaoh Thutmose III. This pharaoh mentioned Gaza in the Tell el-Amarna tablets, which are diplomatic and administrative records from ancient Egypt.
Philistine and Other Invaders
Following a 300-year period of Egyptian occupation, the Philistines, one of the Sea Peoples, settled in Gaza around 1200 BC. Gaza became a key member of the Philistine Pentapolis, a league of five major cities. It is said that the biblical hero Samson met his end by toppling the temple of the god Dagon. Due to its strategic position on the Via Maris, a vital ancient coastal road connecting Egypt with Palestine, Gaza continued to experience volatile periods of occupation.
Roman and Other Latin Occupation
The area changed hands frequently between Greek successor kingdoms, the Seleucids and the Ptolemies, before being conquered by the Roman General Pompey Magnus in 63 BCE. Gaza was granted to Herod the Great thirty years later. In AD 635, the Arabs conquered Gaza, followed by the Crusaders from the Fatimids in 1100. Saladin, after defeating the Crusaders, brought Gaza under Muslim control in 1187.
Ottoman Rule and British Mandate
By the late 13th century, Gaza was in the hands of the Mamluks. In the 16th century, it passed to the Ottoman Turks, who ruled until the end of World War I. With the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the British took control of the region in 1917, establishing the British Mandate for Palestine. This period lasted until 1948, when the State of Israel was established, and Gaza became part of the Israeli-occupied territories.
Post-1948 Occupation
Following an Egyptian invasion in 1948, Gaza came under Egyptian occupation until 1967. This year marked the end of Egyptian control, as the Six-Day War resulted in Israel occupying the Gaza Strip. Egypt refused to control Gaza and signed the Israeli-Egyptian Peace Agreement. Under the Oslo Accords, civilian governance of Gaza was granted to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and later to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Current Situation
The Gaza Strip has been in the hands of Hamas since 2006, leading to ongoing conflicts and political crises within the region. The complex history of Gazan occupation reflects the enduring struggles and changes in this historically significant territory.
This timeline outlines the evolution of Gazan occupation over several centuries, from ancient times to the present day, highlighting key events and changes in governance.