Az-Zawayda (Arabic: الزوايدة), also spelled Zawaida, is a Palestinian town in the Gaza Strip, in the Deir al-Balah Governorate of the State of Palestine. It is located about three kilometers northeast of the city of Deir al-Balah and just west of Maghazi refugee camp. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) 2017 census, there were 23,841 residents.[1]

Az-Zawayda
Arabic transcription(s)
 • Arabicالزوايدة
 • LatinZawaida (official)
al-Zawaydeh (unofficial)
Az-Zawayda is located in State of Palestine
Az-Zawayda
Az-Zawayda
Location of Az-Zawayda within Palestine
Coordinates: 31°25′50″N 34°22′18″E / 31.43056°N 34.37167°E / 31.43056; 34.37167
State State of Palestine
GovernorateDeir al-Balah
Government
 • TypeCity
Area
 • Total15,300 dunams (15.3 km2 or 5.9 sq mi)
Population
 (2017)[1]
 • Total23,841
 • Density1,600/km2 (4,000/sq mi)

History

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During the Israel–Hamas war, an Israeli attack killed at least 13 people after hitting a house in az-Zawayda.[2] Several weeks later, three Israeli missiles struck a warehouse used as shelter by a displaced family, killing at least 16 people, including six children.[3] According to a neighbor, "They were asleep in their beds, kids and babies, then three missiles targeted their place".[4] One of the killed was a wholesale retailer who worked with the Israeli military to bring food into the Gaza Strip.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Preliminary Results of the Population, Housing and Establishments Census, 2017 (PDF). Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) (Report). State of Palestine. February 2018. pp. 64–82. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  2. ^ "Israeli military bombs home in az-Zawayda, killing at least 13 Palestinians". YouTube. Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  3. ^ Uras, Alastair Mccready,Stephen Quillen,Umut. "Children 'torn to pieces' in az-Zawayda attack". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-08-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Al-Mughrabi, Nidal. "Israeli strike kills at least 17 Palestinians in central Gaza, health officials say". Reuters. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  5. ^ Shurafa, Wafaa. "An Israeli airstrike kills 18 members of a family in Gaza as mediators hope for a cease-fire". Associated Press. Retrieved 25 August 2024.