Gaza: A History Book by Jean-Pierre Filiu

Gaza: A History by Jean-Pierre Filiu is a highly regarded, comprehensive study that traces the history of the Gaza region and its people from antiquity to the modern era, with updated editions covering recent events. The book explores Gaza's long and complex history, from being a strategically important, yet often neglected, outpost contested by various empires (Pharaohs, Romans, Ottomans, British, etc.) to its central role in modern Palestinian history. Filiu, a professor of Middle East Studies at Sciences Po in Paris, argues that a deep understanding of Gaza's past is essential for understanding the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.