Chronicle of the Middle East and North Africa
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Showing results for "Tag: Gaza"

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Gaza, also recognized as Gaza City, holds a prominent position as a major urban hub in the Gaza Strip, with a population of 590,481 residents, firmly establishing it as the largest city within the State of Palestine. Its history is deeply rooted, dating back millennia to at least the 15th century BCE, during which it experienced the rule and influence of numerous civilizations and empires.

Gaza City’s status as Palestine’s largest population center, home to nearly half a million people, is a direct consequence of the significant influx of refugees in 1948. Geographically, the city is situated atop a hill, located five kilometers inland, but over the course of the 20th century, it became seamlessly integrated with its eponymous port.

Gaza, also known as Ghazza, occupies a historically significant position along the ancient trade route that traversed from Egypt along the Mediterranean coast to Syria and further into Arabia. This historical significance led to the presence of Arab communities in Gaza long before the arrival of Arab conquerors and the advent of Islam in the 7th century. Among these early Arabs was Hashim ibn Abd Manaf, the great-grandfather of Prophet Muhammad, a notable trader whose final resting place can be found in the Sayyid Hashim Mosque in Gaza.