Gaza before the Disengagement

MAP 23

M E D I T E R R A N E A N

S E A

Gush Katif Gush Katif

E G Y P T

Gaza City Gaza City

Deir el Balah Deir el Balah

Khan Yunis Khan Yunis

Rafah Rafah

Alei Sinai Alei Sinai

Dugit Dugit

Nissanit Nissanit

Netzarim Netzarim

Kfar Darom Kfar Darom

Katif Katif

Ganei Tal Ganei Tal Neve Dekalim Neve Dekalim

Gadid Gadid

Gan Or Gan Or Rafiah Yam Rafiah Yam

Morag Morag

L E G E N D

Area A: full Palestinian control

Israeli-held (Gush Katif)

Gaza border before 2005

Egypt border (Philadelphi Corridor)

Palestinian city Israeli community

N

10 km

6 mi

North at top. Principal Israeli communities are shown. Zones are traced from the author’s map and are approximate.

MAP-023 · map

HISTORICAL MAPS

MAP 23 Gaza before the Disengagement

Gush Katif and the Strip, August 2005

In August 2005, Israel withdrew civilians and military bases from the Gaza Strip, removing 21 Jewish communities from the enclave of Gush Katif and northern Gaza, and expelling about 7,000 citizens, many of them protesting non- violently.

The Gaza Disengagement was part of Israel’s unilateral plan to disengage from the Strip. Implemented under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the move aimed to reduce friction between Israelis and Arabs without waiting for a negotiated agreement. The 21 Jewish communities, home to thriving agricultural settlements, were dismantled, and their residents were removed by the IDF.

The Disengagement exposed the deep emotional and ideological divide within Israeli society. Despite hopes that it would reduce violence, Gaza fell under Hamas control in 2006, leading to frequent rocket attacks and military escalations, setting the stage for October 7, 2023 and what followed.

TIMELINE

Israel takes the Gaza Strip from Egypt in the Six-Day War.

Gaza City and Jericho come under Palestinian self-rule after the Oslo Accords.

August 2005 Israel withdraws all civilians and military bases from the Strip.

Hamas wins the legislative elections and takes control of Gaza in 2007.

October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks southern Israel from Gaza.

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