#301: US takeover of Gaza

What does it mean? What's happening here?

"US will take over Gaza," (but did you solve PYQs on CSEWhy app today?)

What does this mean?

What's the history of Israel-Palestine conflict?

Only post you need to read this on this topic!

What's Trump's plan?

• US to take over & 'own' the Gaza strip

• Envisions long term US ownership after displacing Palestinians to Egypt & Jordan (Both have refused to take 1.8mn+ Palestinians)

• To redevelop Gaza as "the Riviera of the Middle East"

It's contentious how USA will do it, there's no clarity on how it'll be enforced legally with JUST Israel in confidence while no word w/ Arab states

• International Reaction

Iran: This is "colonial erasure"

Egypt/Jordan: Refusal to accept 1.8mn Palestinians

What happens from here?

A potential political, humanitarian, and international legal challenges.

But the history is even more complex! Read here👇🏻

The history goes back to 19-20th century

1. Late 19th Century - Early 20th Century

• Zionism

The Zionist movement begins, advocating for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire.

• Balfour Declaration (1917)

The British government supports the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine but ensures it does not prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities.

2. British Mandate (1920-1948)

• Jewish Immigration: Increased Jewish immigration to Palestine, leading to tensions with Arabs.

• 1920s-1930s: Clashes between Jews and Arabs; the 1929 Hebron massacre and the 1936-1939 Arab revolt against British rule and Jewish immigration.

3. Post-World War II

• 1947 UN Partition Plan

The UN proposes partitioning Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem under international administration. The plan is accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by Arab leaders.

• 1948 War

Israel declares independence following the end of the British Mandate. Neighboring Arab states invade, leading to the first Arab-Israeli War. Israel expands beyond the UN partition plan, but areas like the West Bank and Gaza are taken by Jordan and Egypt, respectively.

4. Key Wars and Developments

• 1967 Six-Day War: Israel captures the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights.

• 1973 Yom Kippur War: Egypt and Syria attack Israel, leading to further military engagements.

• 1978 Camp David Accords: Peace between Israel and Egypt, with the Sinai returned to Egypt.

• 1982 Lebanon War: Israel invades Lebanon to expel the PLO.

• First Intifada (1987-1993): Palestinian uprising in the occupied territories against Israeli control.

• Oslo Accords (1993): Recognition of the PLO by Israel and establishment of the Palestinian Authority for limited self-governance in parts of the West Bank and Gaza.

5. 21st Century

• Second Intifada (2000-2005): A more violent uprising leading to significant casualties on both sides.

• 2005 Gaza Disengagement: Israel withdraws from Gaza but maintains control over its airspace, sea, and borders.

• 2006 Election: Hamas wins Palestinian legislative elections, leading to tensions with Fatah and Israel, culminating in Hamas taking control of Gaza in 2007.

• Wars in Gaza (2008-2009, 2012, 2014, 2021): Series of conflicts between Israel and Hamas, with significant civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza.

6. Recent Developments

• Normalization Agreements: The Abraham Accords (2020) see some Arab nations normalize relations with Israel without resolving the Palestinian issue

• Ongoing Issues: Continued settlement expansion, disputes over Jerusalem, blockade of Gaza, and sporadic violence. Peace processes have largely stalled with the latest cycle of violence and political shifts.