Gaza: Isolated Under Siege
Israel's committing slow-motion genocide against Gazans.
by Stephen Lendman
Under repressive occupation, Military Orders govern virtually all aspects of life. Freedom is entirely restricted. Police state authority runs Palestine.
Although Oslo called Palestine one territorial unit, Israel maintains total control of people and goods movement in and out of Gaza.
In June 1989, Israel began restricting free movement between Gaza and Israel through magnetic ID cards not given former prisoners.
In 1991, Palestinians had to apply for personal exit permits. They were required to enter or leave Palestine and how long they could stay in Israel. Over time, numbers issued decreased.
In 1993, closure was imposed for the first time after Palestinians allegedly killed several Israelis. In 1994, Israel began building a fence separating Gaza from Israel. Checkpoints control people traffic. Karni crossing controls goods in and out.
In late September 2000, after the second Intifada began, Israel almost entirely prohibited Gazans from entering Israel or traveling to West Bank locations. In 2001, a no-go buffer zone was established.
It prohibits Palestinians from entering areas up to two km inside Gaza and beyond three nautical miles in their own waters. They're recognized under international law up to 12 miles plus an additional 12 miles for partial control.
Moreover, an exclusive economic zone extends up to 200 miles. Nonetheless, Palestinians venturing beyond three km or inside two km on land risk being shot, including young children.
In 2004, Egypt built its own wall bordering Gaza. In 2005, Israel disengaged from the Strip. Nonetheless, it maintains total control, irrespective of agreed on terms.
After Hamas won the January 2006 legislative elections, people traffic and goods restrictions were imposed. In June 2007, what's called siege began. Though modestly eased, it remains in place. Humanitarian missions try to breach it. Some do successfully. Others forcefully interdicted don't.
February 7 marked the latest success when Miles of Smiles 9 arrived through Egypt's Rafah Border Terminal. Dozens of participating activists brought medical supplies, power generators for hospitals and an ambulance.
Under health crisis conditions, medical supplies and equipment are urgently needed. The ICRC says restrictions cause frequent shortages of essential to life items. Ill patients with cancer, kidney failure, and other diseases are severely impacted.
Intermittent power and voltage fluctuations exacerbate conditions. As a result, lives are risked. Fourth Geneva mandates occupying powers to ensure supplies of drugs and equipment for proper treatment. Israel violates all international laws with impunity.
