Chapter 1: The History of Gaza
* Explores Gaza's ancient history, from its role as a Philistine city to its conquest by Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire.
* Example: The ruins of the ancient Philistine city of Ashkelon, located on the southern coast of Gaza, provide evidence of the region's rich history.
Chapter 2: The British Mandate and the Palestinian Revolt
* Describes Gaza's experience under British rule (1923-1948), leading up to the 1936-1939 Palestinian Revolt.
* Example: The Black Saturday Massacre of 1929, in which British troops killed over 200 Palestinian demonstrators in the streets of Jaffa, sparked widespread Palestinian resistance to British authority.
Chapter 3: The 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the Creation of Israel
* Examines the impact of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War on Gaza, which resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees.
* Example: The village of Isdud, located in northern Gaza, was one of the many Palestinian villages depopulated during the war, with its inhabitants fleeing to refugee camps in neighboring countries.
Chapter 4: Gaza Under Egyptian Rule (1948-1967)
* Analyzes Gaza's experience under Egyptian military rule, which lasted from 1948 to 1967.
* Example: The Egyptian blockade of the Gaza Strip, imposed in 1956, severely restricted the movement of goods and people into and out of the territory, exacerbating economic and social hardships.
Chapter 5: The Six-Day War and the Israeli Occupation
* Provides an account of the 1967 Six-Day War, which resulted in the Israeli occupation of Gaza.
* Example: The Israeli bombardment of the Egyptian-held Gaza Strip during the war caused widespread destruction and killed hundreds of Palestinian civilians.
Chapter 6: The First Intifada (1987-1993)
* Examines the first Palestinian intifada, which erupted in the occupied territories, including Gaza, in 1987.
* Example: The stone-throwing protests that became synonymous with the intifada, such as those in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, expressed Palestinian frustration with Israeli occupation and the denial of their rights.
Chapter 7: The Oslo Accords and the Palestinian Authority (1993-2000)
* Explores the Oslo Accords, signed in 1993, and the creation of the Palestinian Authority, which governed parts of the occupied territories, including Gaza.
* Example: The construction of the Yasser Arafat International Airport in Gaza City symbolized the hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people for self-governance and independence.
Chapter 8: The Second Intifada (2000-2005)
* Analyzes the second Palestinian intifada, which began in 2000 and led to a violent escalation of tension between Palestinians and Israelis.
* Example: The Israeli reoccupation of the Gaza Strip in 2002, codenamed Operation Defensive Shield, resulted in widespread destruction and civilian casualties.
Chapter 9: The Gaza War (2008-2009)
* Examines the 2008-2009 Gaza War, also known as Operation Cast Lead, which was launched by Israel in response to rocket fire from Gaza.
* Example: The Israeli airstrikes on densely populated areas in Gaza, such as the Shuja'iyya neighborhood, caused hundreds of civilian casualties and widespread destruction.
Chapter 10: The Gaza Blockade and the Humanitarian Crisis
* Explores the Israeli blockade of Gaza, imposed in 2007, and its devastating impact on the population.
* Example: The shortage of essential goods, including food, medicine, and fuel, has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with widespread malnutrition, poverty, and unemployment.
Chapter 11: The Future of Gaza
* Examines the ongoing challenges facing Gaza and the different perspectives on its future, including proposals for a two-state solution, a one-state solution, or the continuation of the status quo.
* Example: The 2018 Great March of Return, which saw thousands of Palestinians protesting along the border fence with Israel, demonstrated the desire for an end to the Israeli occupation and a just resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.