2023 Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip
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On 9 October 2023, Israel intensified the blockade of the Gaza Strip after the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and the ensuing Israel–Hamas war.[1] Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a "total blockade",[2] blocking the entry of food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity.[3]
This article needs to be updated. (April 2024) |
2023 Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip | |||||
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Part of the Israel–Hamas war and the blockade of the Gaza Strip | |||||
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Israel stated that the blockade would not be lifted until the hostages abducted by Hamas are returned,[4] which has been criticized as collective punishment and an apparent war crime.[5] While Hamas stated that it would release all Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of all Palestinian prisoners by Israel.[6] Later, Gallant changed his position of a complete blockade.[7] The first supplies entered on 21 October 2023.[8] The blockade exacerbated Gaza's humanitarian crisis.[9]
In January 2024, Israeli authorities blocked 56% of humanitarian aid to northern Gaza.[10] On 9 February 2024, UNRWA's director Philippe Lazzarini said that Israel had blocked food for 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza.[11]
The blockade has contributed to imminent famine conditions in the Gaza Strip, which was exacberated by Israeli airstrikes targeting food infrastructure and restrictions on humanitarian aid.[12] In a number of incidents, Israeli protesters, including settlers, blocked aid trucks carrying humanitarian aid heading towards the Gaza Strip, and in some cases attacked them.[13][14]