Since 1967, Israeli decision-makers have opted to conquer, occupy, colonize and dominate the Gaza Strip. Why has this sliver of land – home and refuge to around 400,000 Palestinians at the time of the 1967 War – been so important? Why has it come to play such a major role in Israeli-Palestinian affairs, Israeli domestic and foreign policy, and – increasingly – Israel’s international relations? This book answers these questions.

Placing Gaza within the context of Zionist ideology and practice, the question of Palestine and the fate of Palestinian self-determination, the book charts Israel’s Gaza policy from early attempts to put the area under Israeli rule before 1967 and up until Israel’s attempted destruction of the Gaza Strip and its people in the wake of 7 October 2023.

Based on Israeli archival material, official records, international media reports and leaked documents, the book interrogates pivotal moments in the history of Israel and Gaza. It looks at the attitudes, behaviour and decisions behind Israeli policymaking, as well as policy implementation and its implications. Whilst historical accounts and political commentary often suggest Israel has acted towards Gaza and its Palestinian population in an ad-hoc way the book reveals this is far from the case.