Gaza/Hamas: Map & History
The Gaza Strip is governed by Hamas which assumed control of the territory on 11 June 2007 after seizing it from the rival Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority (PA).
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The Gaza Strip is governed by Hamas which assumed control of the territory on 11 June 2007 after seizing it from the rival Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority (PA). The Hamas administration was first led by Ismail Haniyeh from June 2007 until February 2017; then by Yahya Sinwar until his killing in October 2024; then by Mohammed Sinwar until his assassination in May 2025; then by Izz al-Din al-Haddad until his assassination in May 2026; then by Mohammed Odeh until his assassination the same month. During the Gaza war, the group lost control over most of the Gaza Strip to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). As a result of the Gaza peace plan, agreed in October 2025, the IDF currently controls approximately 53% of the territory, and Hamas is set to hand over power to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, as endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803.
Gaza/Hamas in Depth
History
Conflict between Fatah and Hamas began simmering when Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in January 2006. Israel and the Quartet—comprising the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations—demanded that the new Hamas government accept all previous agreements, recognize Israel's right to exist, and renounce violence; when Hamas refused, they cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority.
Major conflict erupted in Gaza in December 2006, when the Hamas executive authority attempted to replace the Palestinian police as the primary authority in Gaza.
On 8 February 2007, Saudi-sponsored negotiations in Mecca produced an agreement on a Palestinian national unity government.
Government and politics
In 2006, Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections and assumed administrative control of Gaza Strip and West Bank. In 2007, Hamas led a military victory over Fatah, the secular Palestinian nationalist party, which had dominated the Palestinian National Authority. As a result, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared state of emergency and released Hamas Prime Minister Haniye – a move not recognized by the Hamas party, which de facto continued administration and military control of the Gaza Strip, while in the PNA controlled West Bank another government was established with Fatah domination.
Both regimes – the Ramallah and Gaza government – regard themselves as the sole legitimate government of the Palestinian National Authority.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Gaza Strip under Hamas (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Gaza/Hamas: Key Facts
| Official language | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Form of government | Islamic state |
| Founded | 14 June 2007 |
Facts from Wikidata Q5588642 (CC0).
Gaza/Hamas: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Gaza/Hamas exist?
Gaza/Hamas is dated to 2014 CE – 2024 CE, in the Industrial era.
What was the capital of Gaza/Hamas?
The capital of Gaza/Hamas was Gaza City.
How large was Gaza/Hamas at its peak?
At its peak in 2024 Gaza/Hamas covered about 155 km².
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