Professor Jean-Pierre Filiu’s book, Gaza: A History, which John King translated, is divided into five sections and sixteen chapters. It covers the history of Gaza from the time of the Pharaohs to the arrival of Islam and the period when Palestine was under British Mandate.
The second section examines the period from 1947 to 1967. The Nakba of 1948 is regarded from the perspective of all of Palestine, with a focus on how it affected Gaza, which became an area for refugees from other regions of the country following the foundation of the state of Israel.

Prof. Filiu begins his description of the region’s history by tracing its position at the crossroads of empires for thousands of years. He then soon shifts the focus to the 20th century and the beginnings of the ongoing conflict, which has not only been a source of contention for several decades but has also dominated news headlines for more than a year. The British advance into Gaza under General Allenby coincided with the Balfour Declaration’s announcement on November 2, 1917. Britain was occupying Gaza while also promising it to other people.
Gaza is situated between Egypt, Israel, and the Mediterranean Sea. A little over 1.6 million people spend their days in what has been called “the largest open-air prison in the world.” The author emphasises how the Palestinian forces themselves are divided, with the Palestinian Authority, led by Fatah, governing the West Bank and Hamas essentially controlling Gaza.
Hamas has had control of Gaza for nearly 20 years. After winning 74 of the 132 seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in the January 2006 elections, Hamas was met with conditions from the West in exchange for acknowledgement of their electoral victory. These included a commitment to nonviolence, recognition of Israel, and adherence to existing agreements.
The Israelis’ plan to bar any Hamas delegates from Gaza from attending PLC meetings in the West Bank contributed to the group’s forced withdrawal into Gaza and deepened divisions already prevalent in the Palestinian camp. In
June 2007, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declined to visit Gaza, adding to the division between Hamas and Fatah, with Hamas controlling Gaza and Fatah controlling the West Bank.
However, the history of Gaza and the Palestinian cause is a history of Israel’s failure to acknowledge the Palestinians’ rightful claim to their own state. It is a history of Israel upholding that stance and behaving without consequence for many years, despite multiple UN resolutions stating Palestinians’ rights to their own state. It chronicles the international community’s failure to take any enforcement measures that would force Israel to engage in meaningful negotiations over a two-state solution.
At a time when Israel’s blockade and corrupt politics are causing Gaza to become more and more isolated from the rest of Palestinian society and the outside world, resulting in a humanitarian crisis, this book not only demonstrates that Gaza has always been and will continue to be relevant in history, but that it has also been destroyed numerous times but has rebuilt itself and survived. The book concludes with a substantial timeline and bibliography that highlight significant figures and events.
Prof. Filiu’s book is the result of extensive study, encompassing archival work, interviews, and talks with both Palestinians and Israelis. The author also explored a wide range of additional published and unpublished materials. The outcome is stunning, detailing Gaza’s history from ancient times to the present day.
Shahruk Ahmed Mazumdar is a Writer, Columnist
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