Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Gaza Strip Shoreline Using GIS and Remote Sensing

The rapid increase of population on Gaza coastal area leads the depletion of the
coastal zone resources and the change of the coastal morphology. In this research
seven satellite imageries (MSS, TM and ETM+ Landsat) are collected from 1972 to
2012 and arranged into six periods. Spatio-temporal analysis is used to detect
changes in the shoreline position as well as the change in the coast area using GIS
and remote sensing techniques. Gaza Strip coastal zone is classified into seven
regions; A) Rafah B) khan Younis C) Southern of the Middle Governorate, D) El-
Wadi region, E) Southern of the Sea Port, F) Northern of the Sea Port, and G)
North Gaza Governorate. This study indicates that regions A, B, and C are exposed
to accretion in the first five periods, but regarding the last period, the erosion is the
largest. Region D is exposed to erosion in all periods between 1972-2012, where,
the average annual area erosion rate and the rate of change are 2,120 m2 and 1.23
m/year, respectively. Most substantial changes have been observed in the south side
of Gaza Sea Port (region E) which show positive annual area rate 14,940 m2 and a
change rate equal 2.2 m/year. Region F is exposed to a serious problem of erosion
as the annual erosion area rate is about 9,550 m2 and a linear rate of -2.21 m/year.
Region G is also exposed to erosion patterns. It is necessary to move all
stakeholders to monitor and protect Gaza Strip beach from the risk of drift that
threatens vital installations and environmental parameters along the beach.