History matters, especially in Palestine. In this essential account, historian Anne Irfan reveals the long-term roots of Israel’s genocidal destruction of Gaza. She examines six key moments in its history that provide vital context for the present day, beginning with Israel’s expulsion of the Palestinian people in 1948, when the Gaza region was truncated to a tiny ‘Strip’ of 141 square miles, through to Israel’s occupations, the first intifada and the rise of Hamas. Drawing on a decade of meticulous research, she cuts through the misinformation and conflicting narratives to tell a story that begins long before the Hamas-led attacks of October 7 and centres Gaza as a microcosm of the Palestinian struggle. Clear-sighted and compassionate, this is an account that foregrounds the voices of Palestinians of all walks of life, from farmers and teachers to poets and activists. A Short History of the Gaza Strip is an indispensable primer for anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of Palestine and the wider region.
