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Link: Human Rights
http://www.pchrgaza.org/
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Situated on the western
Mediterranean seashore 32 km north of the
Egyptian border, Gaza is considered one of the most ancient and
historic towns in the world. Strategically located on the
Mediterranean coastal route, ancient Gaza was a prosperous trade
center and a stop on the caravan route between Egypt and Syria.
The city was first inhabited by the Canaanites and occupied by
Egypt in the 15th century BC. Several hundred years later, Gaza
became a chief Philistine city. Gaza is mentioned a number of
times in the Bible, especially as the site where Samson brought
down the Philistine temple on himself and his enemies.
Captured by the Muslims around 600 AD, Gaza is the site where
Prophet Mohammed's grandfather was buried. Consequently, the city
became an important Islamic center. In the 12th century, it was
occupied by the Crusaders but returned to Muslim control in 1187.
Today, Gaza is the economic center for a region where citrus
fruits and other crops are grown. The city is famous for its
hand-woven carpets, wicker furniture, and pottery.
Famous for its fresh seafood, Gaza has numerous restaurants along
the beach as well as public parks where visitors can enjoy the
pleasant Mediterranean breeze. Nightlife in Gaza is also picking
up and several beach hotels offer visitors enjoyable evenings of
music and dance. |
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Background |
The Israel-PLO Declaration of
Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements (the DOP),
signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, provided for a
transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian
interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Under
the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and
responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, which includes the
Palestinian Legislative Council elected in January 1996, as part
of the interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and
Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza
Strip and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994
Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in
additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28
September 1995 Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997
Protocol Concerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23
October 1998 Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm
el-Sheikh Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain
responsibility during the transitional period for external
security and for internal security and public order of settlements
and Israeli citizens. Permanent status is to be determined through
direct negotiations, which resumed in September 1999 after a
three-year hiatus. An intifadah broke out in September 2000; the
resulting widespread violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip,
Israel's military response, and instability in the Palestinian
Authority are undermining progress toward a permanent settlement |
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