Gaza Strip Geography: Location, Borders, and Humanitarian Context

The Gaza Strip is a 365 km² (141 mi²) Palestinian coastal enclave on the eastern Mediterranean.

Coordinates & Dimensions

• Position: 31°25′N 34°20′E
• Length: 41 km (25 mi) NE–SW
• Width: 6–12 km (4–7.5 mi)
• Population: ~2.3M (2024) — among world's densest (6,300/km²)

Borders

• Israel (N/E): 51 km — heavily fortified, crossings (Erez/Beit Hanoun north, Kerem Shalom south)
• Egypt (SW): 11 km — Rafah crossing
• Mediterranean (W): 40 km coastline — naval blockade since 2007

Governance & Status

• Internal: Hamas (since 2007 legislative election, 2007 conflict)
• International law: Occupied territory (UN, ICJ, ICRC) — Israel controls airspace, territorial waters, population registry, tax revenue, most border crossings
• Blockade: Israel + Egypt restrict goods/people movement since 2007

Humanitarian Context (2024)

• 2023–24 war: ~35K+ killed, 1.9M displaced, 60%+ housing damaged/destroyed
• Water: 97% aquifer unfit; desalination limited
• Electricity: <4 hrs/day (grid); solar/fuel scarce
• Healthcare: <30% hospitals functional
• Food: Famine conditions (IPC Phase 5) in north

Historical Note

1948: All-Palestine Government declared in Gaza. 1967: Israeli occupation. 2005: Israeli unilateral disengagement (settlers/soldiers removed). 2006: Hamas wins PLC elections. 2007: Hamas–Fatah split; blockade begins.