Khan Younis, located in southwest Palestine, is the second largest
city of the Gaza Strip next to Gaza City. It is 25 kilometers south of
Gaza, 20 kilometers north of the Egyptian borders, and 4 kilometers from
the Mediterranean Sea.
The city’s name is formed of two words—Khan meaning hostel and Younis, which refers to Prince Younis Dawadar who built a garrison in 1387 for soldiers guarding travelers and pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem and Mecca. The town square is bordered by this impressive historic fortress that dominates the view.
In the old times, the city functioned as a station for commercial caravans. It gained special significance for its strategic location connecting the Nile Valley to the Fertile Crescent, Egypt, and the Arabian Peninsula.
Khan Younis is a market town for agricultural produce from the surrounding villages. It is worth a visit on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the weekly, colorful Bedouin Market, where merchants sell everything from embroidery to fish. There also are several cafés around the town center where you can sit down to eat local food or sip Arabic coffee.
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Added: May 2006