Synopsis:
A Short History of the Gaza Strip offers a clear and accessible account of one of the world’s most contested and misunderstood regions. Tracing Gaza’s history from ancient times through Ottoman rule, British mandate governance, and into the modern era, the book explains how shifting empires, borders, and political decisions shaped the territory’s present reality. It places contemporary conflict within a longer historical framework, examining how colonial legacies, displacement, and regional power struggles continue to influence life in Gaza today. Concise yet deeply informative, the book provides essential context for understanding Gaza beyond headlines, highlighting how history, politics, and everyday life are tightly intertwined.

About the Author:
Anne Irfan is a historian and academic whose work focuses on the modern Middle East, humanitarianism, and the history of Palestine. She is known for her ability to present complex political and historical subjects in a clear, measured, and accessible way. Irfan’s research emphasizes the human consequences of policy, borders, and international intervention, bringing depth and nuance to discussions often dominated by simplified narratives. Through A Short History of the Gaza Strip, she contributes an important scholarly perspective that helps readers understand the region through careful historical analysis rather than polemic.