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The city of Gaza

Gaza was the first Palestinian City to enter the historical records. It was mentioned in the ancient Egyptian texts. The meaning of the name "Gaza" is multiple: some attribute it to the Canaanites and interpret it to mean "strength". Others say that the Persians called it "Hazatote", meaning "treasure" because they believed a treasure was buried there. The Arabs named it "Ghazzat Hashem" after the Prophet Muhammad's great grandfather, who is said to have died here during one of his trade trips.

Driving through the northern suburbs of Gaza, crumbling brown maze of low buildings give the visitor an impression of overcrowding and poverty. The new high-risers, known locally as "Abraj" or towers, stand witness to more recent political and economic developments more prominently displayed in Gaza than the West Bank. The historic part of the city is compact and extends no further than a 5- minute walk from the Palestine Square in the heart of the city. The most important street is Omar al Mukhtar street, which runs east to west from Al Shuja'iyya quarter to the sea.

The old city of Gaza was built on a "Tell" (hill) rising 45 meters above sea level. It had an area of one square kilometer and was surrounded by a great wall with gates. As it grew, the city spread to the north, south and east. Gaza City is divided into quarters both out of and within the old city limits.

Places of interest to the visitor are the Great Omari mosque, the Mosque of Al Ssayed Hashem, the Mosque if Ibn Othman, the Mosque of Ibn Marwan, The Sheikh Abul Azm sanctuary, the Sheikh Ajlin sanctuary, Tell al Mintar, Napoleon's fort (Al Radwan Castle), and the Church of St. Porphyrius. The city also has many new resorts where tourists and local people can swim and relax by the beach or swimming pools.

Sites in Jericho City

Monastery of Temptation
Constructed in the 19th Century to replace the monastery constructed by the crusaders in the 12th century - this site marks the mountain where Jesus fasted and mediated for 40 days withstanding Satan's temptation.

Nabi Musa
Eight-KM SW of Jericho, according to loacl tradition, theis Maqam (Tomb) is the site where the Prohphet Moses is buried - and has been a site of pilgrimage since the 12th Century.

Qumran
20-Km south fo Jericho lies the site of one of the world's most ancient monasteries "monastery of the Essenes" - the site where the 2,000 year-old Dead Sea scrolls were found.

Hisham's Palace
Five-KM north of Jericho are the ruins of the desert palace of UMayyad Caliph Hisham Ibn Abdul Malik destroyed by earthquake before it was completed in 747 AD, containing royal buildings, a mosque, water fountains & spectacular mosaic floors.

River Jordan
Eight-KM east of Jericho is the traditional site of the baptism of Jesus -unreachable to tourists because it is a military area, but is used by the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church in season.

Dead Sea
405 meters below sea level make the Dead Sea the lowest point on earth, which because of its high salt content makes it inhospitable to life - but helpful in treating skin diseases.

Tel-as-Sultan (ancient Jericho)
Two-Km NW of Jericho lies Tel-as-Sultan where settlements dating from 9,000 BC. have been uncovered. Including the oldest stairway, wall and a round fortified tower dated to 7,000 BC.