In this episode of The Control Zone, hosts Jessica Buxbaum and Kellie Kuenzle launch a four-part series exploring the history of military occupation in Gaza. Joined by historian Roberto Mazza, a visiting scholar at the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs at Northwestern University and host of the Jerusalem Unplugged podcast, the conversation traces the historical foundations that shaped Gaza long before what we see today.
The episode begins in the final years of the Ottoman Empire, examining Gaza as a port city, agricultural center, and strategic crossroads between Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean. The discussion explores how Ottoman land reforms, changing property laws, and regional politics laid foundations that still influence Gaza today.
From there, the episode moves through the geopolitical transformations of the 20th century, including the collapse of Ottoman rule, the emergence of Zionist settlement in Palestine, and early military confrontations between Israel and its neighbors. The hosts and Mazza also unpack the often overlooked history of Gaza during the Suez Crisis in 1956, when Israel briefly occupied the Gaza Strip.
This historical perspective shows how themes of control, displacement, land ownership, and strategic geography have shaped Gaza for more than a century.
Consider checking out Mazza's podcast here.
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Mar 27 202647 min