New Books in History Anne Irfan, "A Short History of the Gaza Strip" (Simon & Schuster, 2025)
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Dec 3, 2025 Historian Anne Irfan, based at University College London, dives into her new book, exploring Gaza's tumultuous history from the 1948 Nakba to present crises. She highlights six pivotal events that shaped Gaza’s socio-political landscape, challenging narratives of ancient hatred and emphasizing the role of political decisions. Irfan discusses the continuous nature of displacement for Palestinians and critiques the historical illiteracy in Western policy proposals. Her insights connect historical context and personal testimonies, providing a nuanced view of Gaza's struggles.
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Gaza Strip As A Modern Creation
- The Gaza Strip is a modern territorial product of the 1948 Nakba, not an ancient entity with fixed borders.
- Its demographic and territorial setup stems directly from mass displacement in 1948 and must anchor any historical analysis.
Six Phases Explain Gaza's Centrality
- Irfan identifies six pivotal phases shaping Gaza since 1948 to explain its recurring political centrality.
- These moments show Gaza's outsized importance despite its small size and limited resources.
Oslo Cemented Continuity, Not Resolution
- The Oslo Accords produced more continuity than change and lacked mechanisms to end occupation or secure Palestinian statehood.
- Oslo functioned as an interim arrangement that ultimately facilitated and cheapened the occupation.
