Think about your morning commute. For many of us, driving 25 miles to work takes about 30 minutes with traffic, maybe less. In Gaza, that’s the entire length of the territory from north to south. You could literally ride a bicycle from one end to the other in a single afternoon, stopping for a coffee and a chat along the way.
Imagine planning a weekend getaway. You wouldn’t book a hotel in “northern Gaza” and “southern Gaza” like separate countries. It’s more like saying you’re going to the north side of your own town versus the south side. You could walk the entire coastline in a few hours, if you’re the energetic type who likes beaches and good conversation.
What Does That Mean for a Sandwich?
Here’s a funny, relatable thought experiment. If you live in a city like New York, a 25-mile trip might take you from Manhattan to the edge of the suburbs. In Gaza, that same distance is the entire universe for over two million people. Imagine your whole life—your school, your job, your grandmother’s house, and your favorite pizza place—all squeezed into a space smaller than the island of Martha’s Vineyard.
That’s why, when you hear news about events there, the impact is so concentrated. A local event in one part of Gaza is never more than a short drive away for everyone else. It’s like having a town fair that literally affects the whole neighborhood, not just one street.
