Jews and their Israelite ancestors have lived in Gaza since Biblical times . Famed residents include medieval rabbis Rabbi Yisrael Najara , author of Kah Ribon Olam , the popular Shabbat song , and renowned Mekubal Rabbi Avraham Azoulai . A historic Jewish community existed in Gaza City prior to its expulsion for safety reasons by the British during the infamous 1929 riots by the city 's Arabs . Land for the village of Kfar Darom was purchased in the 1930s and settled in 1946 . It was evacuated following an Egyptian siege in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
1929 riots
1929 Palestine riots
Gush Katif