I.

Introduction

Gaza Strip, region in southwestern Asia, bordered on the south by Egypt, on the west by the Mediterranean Sea, and on the north and east by Israel. The area of the Gaza Strip is 378 sq km (146 sq mi); its shape and size were determined by the armistice agreement signed by Israel and Egypt after the first Arab-Israeli War (1948-1949). From 1967 until 1994 the Gaza Strip was occupied and administered by Israel. In May 1994 it became a largely autonomous zone under the leadership of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), although some Jewish settlements remained and were under the protection of Israeli military forces. In August 2005 Israel began unilaterally evacuating Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip, and the last Israeli soldiers departed soon after. However, Israel retained control of Gaza’s air space and most of its borders. See also Arab-Israeli Conflict.