Khan Yunis: A History of Palestine



Khan Yunis is a Palestinian city located in the southern Gaza Strip. It is the second largest city in the Gaza Strip, and is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. The city has a rich and vibrant history, and has been the site of many important events in the history of Palestine.

The city of Khan Yunis has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. It was first mentioned in the Bible, and is believed to have been a Canaanite city in the 16th century BC. The city was later conquered by the Egyptians, and then by the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians. It was also part of the Roman Empire, and during the Byzantine period, it was an important trading center.

In the 7th century, Khan Yunis was conquered by Muslim forces and became part of the Islamic Caliphate. During this period it was an important center of Islamic learning and culture. It was also a major trading center, and its location on the Mediterranean Sea made it an important port city.

During the Crusades, Khan Yunis was an important stronghold for the Muslims, and it was here that Saladin, the famous Muslim leader, defeated the Crusaders in 1187. In 1260, the city was captured by the Mamluks, and it was during this period that the city's walls were built.

The city was later conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1517, and it remained under Ottoman control until the British took control of Palestine in 1917. During the British Mandate, Khan Yunis was an important center of Jewish settlement. In 1948, the city was captured by the Israeli army during the Arab-Israeli War.

Today, Khan Yunis is an important center of Palestinian culture and politics. It is home to several universities, including the Islamic University of Gaza, and is a major hub of Palestinian trade and commerce. The city is also home to numerous cultural and historical sites, including the Khan Yunis Archaeological Park.

Khan Yunis is an important part of Palestine's history and culture, and its rich and vibrant history has helped to shape the modern Palestinian identity. The city has been the site of many important events in the history of Palestine, and its importance to the Palestinian people cannot be overstated.