An Ancient Stronghold
Gaza’s history dates back over 4,000 years, beginning as a Canaanite settlement before falling under Egyptian rule for 350 years. The Philistines later made it one of their main cities. It was conquered by Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians before Alexander the Great besieged it in 332 BC, killing most inhabitants and repopulating it with Bedouins.
A Center of Religion and Power
Gaza flourished under Roman rule, governed by a 500-member senate and receiving imperial grants. Christianity spread under Saint Porphyrius, leading to the destruction of pagan temples. It was conquered by Muslim forces in 637 AD and later changed hands between Crusaders, Saladin, and the Mamluks. The Ottoman Empire ruled Gaza from the 16th century, ushering in a period of economic and political stability.
War and Occupation
Gaza suffered severe destruction in World War I before being taken by the British. The 1948 war saw an influx of Palestinian refugees, and in 1967, Israel occupied the city. Gaza became a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, experiencing uprisings, blockades, and wars. The 2023 war left the city largely destroyed, with tens of thousands killed and a severe humanitarian crisis.
2025 Shock
In February 2025, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would take over the Gaza Strip as a solution to the enduring conflict. He proposed relocating the approximately two million Palestinian residents to neighboring countries during a transitional phase, with plans to redevelop Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Gaza’s history dates back over 4,000 years, beginning as a Canaanite settlement before falling under Egyptian rule for 350 years. The Philistines later made it one of their main cities. 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/FKWD0Ye6wj
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 6, 2025