Anne Irfan

‘An excellent primer . . . Essential reading’ GUARDIAN * History matters, especially in Palestine. In this essential account, historian Anne Irfan reveals the long-term roots of Israel’s genocidal destruction of Gaza. She examines six key moments in its history that provide vital context for the present day, beginning with Israel’s expulsion of the Palestinian people in 1948, when the Gaza region was truncated to a tiny ‘Strip’ of 141 square miles, through to Israel’s occupations, the first intifada and the rise of Hamas. Drawing on a decade of meticulous research, she cuts through the misinformation and conflicting narratives to tell a story that begins long before the Hamas-led attacks of October 7 and centres Gaza as a microcosm of the Palestinian struggle. Clear-sighted and compassionate, this is an account that foregrounds the voices of Palestinians of all walks of life, from farmers and teachers to poets and activists. A Short History of the Gaza Strip is an indispensable primer for anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of Palestine and the wider region.  * ‘Brings an unsparing moral clarity and deep insight to this timely, scholarly, humane and profoundly tragic tale’ WILLIAM DALRYMPLE, NEW STATESMAN  ‘Wonderfully informative, nuanced, humane’ BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE Book of the Year ‘Written with passion, precision and clarity’ IRISH INDEPENDENT

The world’s eyes are on the Gaza Strip. After more than a year of Israeli military bombardment, it is the scene of unimaginable destruction. It is also one of the most politically significant territories on the planet. Yet how many of us know anything of its history?In this vital book, Anne Irfan, a leading historian of Palestine-Israel, examines six key moments that bring us to the present day. She begins with Israel’s expulsion of the Palestinian people in 1948, when Israel was established and the Gaza region was truncated to a tiny territory of just 141 square miles. Going on to detail Israel’s occupations of Gaza, the Palestinian national struggle and formation of the PLO, the first intifada, the creation of the Palestinian Authority and the rise of Hamas, Irfan argues that, collectively, these events help explain how we have arrived at the catastrophe of the 2020s and the genocidal violence unleashed by Israel in Gaza after the Hamas-led attacks of October 7.Written with remarkable clarity, A Short History of the Gaza Strip draws on a decade of meticulous research, weaving in the voices and stories of Palestinians from farmers and teachers to poets and activists. It is an indispensable read for anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of Palestine and the wider region. In Irfan’s words, ‘History matters, especially in Palestine’ – and never more so than today.

One of BBC History Magazine's Books of the Year The world's eyes are on the Gaza Strip. After more than a year of Israeli military bombardment, it is the scene of unimaginable destruction. It is also one of the most politically significant territories on the planet. Yet how many of us know anything of its history? In this vital book, Anne Irfan, a leading historian of Palestine-Israel, examines six key moments that bring us to the present day. She begins with Israel's expulsion of the Palestinian people in 1948, when Israel was established and the Gaza region was truncated to a tiny territory of just 141 square miles. Going on to detail Israel's occupations of Gaza, the Palestinian national struggle and formation of the PLO, the first intifada, the creation of the Palestinian Authority and the rise of Hamas, Irfan argues that, collectively, these events help explain how we have arrived at the catastrophe of the 2020s and the genocidal violence unleashed by Israel in Gaza after the Hamas-led attacks of October 7. Written with remarkable clarity, A Short History of the Gaza Strip draws on a decade of meticulous research, weaving in the voices and stories of Palestinians from farmers and teachers to poets and activists. It is an indispensable read for anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of Palestine and the wider region. In Irfan's words, 'History matters, especially in Palestine' - and never more so than today.