Know Gaza: 'The world’s largest open-air prison'

Know Gaza: "The world’s largest open-air prison”

1948: Israel captured 78% of historic Palestine

Remaining 22% divided between West Bank and Gaza

Area: 365 sq kms (size of Lucknow)

Population: 2.1 million

Bordered by Israel and Egypt on the Mediterranean coast

Under an Israeli sea and air blockade since 2007

Nearly 70% of Gaza’s residents are refugees

About 1.4 million refugees live in eight Gaza refugee camps

Ruled by Hamas group since 2007

Since 2008, Israel has waged four wars on Gaza

2008: Israel's first major assault on Gaza
Strikes lasted 23 days
Nearly 1,500 Palestinians killed, 47,000 homes destroyed

2012: 170 Palestinians killed in an 8-day Israeli assault

2014: Israel's military action in Gaza lasted 50 days
More than 2,100 Palestinians, half a million displaced from homes

2021: Israel is bombing Gaza again, over 200 Palestinians killed so far
Israel has bombed residential buildings, media offices and health centres