The mosque and the church side by side, symbol of Gaza

Gaza

Gaza lies on the banks of the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, to the North of the Neguev historical region and dates back to the XVth century BC.  Historically speaking, it has always been a commercial and strategic lynchpin, acting both as a berthing place and a resting a place for those travelling inland.  This territory was under Egyptian administration between 1948 and 1962 and was then occupied by the Israeli Army in 1967.  The Palestinian Authority took control in May 1994.  The city of Gaza today has 360,000 inhabitants and has undergone significant changes since 1993.  The seafront is now bristling with new buildings and luxurious hotels.