Understanding Israel’s Blockade of Gaza

Why is there a blockade of Gaza? This is why.

Following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza in 2005, the terrorist organisation Hamas emerged as the victor in the 2006 Palestinian elections. Since the Hamas takeover, Israel has been bombarded by rockets and mortars and other terrorist attacks. In 2006, Israel, America, Russia, United Nations, and the European Union imposed economic sanctions on Gaza. Three conditions were set to lift these economic sanctions. These were that Hamas renounce violence against Israel, recognise Israel, and honour all previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. As we all know, Hamas hasn’t honoured any.

I think it’s important to understand why the blockade is there. The general view among many pro-Palestinians seems to be that Israel does this to oppress the people in Gaza. This might be the result, but the reason is that Hamas keep firing rockets at Israel and that the Israelis feel it is paramount that the terrorists are starved of weapons.