The largest metropolis in Gaza was teeming with life two years ago. Markets were bustling with shoppers, classrooms were packed with students, and cafes on the beach provided a break from the stress of a beleaguered enclave.
Having been inhabited for thousands of years and influenced by multiple takeovers from ancient civilizations, Gaza City has a rich history. It features hundreds of millennia-old sites that trace its history and was a major landing location for Palestinians who were displaced during Israel’s creation in 1948.
Therefore, when Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in 2007, it was not surprising that the Islamist terrorist group decided to make Gaza City its de facto capital. Life for Palestinians was difficult due to years of conflict, a severe embargo, and the authoritarian government of Hamas.
However, the insurgents’ institutions, supported by neighboring nations like Qatar and a strong United Nations aid system, provided some structure to the weary people of the strip. In the midst of the land, air, and sea siege enforced by neighbors Israel and Egypt, which both label Hamas a terrorist group, Gaza City was able to experience the outside world thanks to an established underground smuggling operation.
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