2007–2009 blockade of the Gaza Strip

The blockade of the Gaza Strip refers to a land, air, and sea blockade on the Gaza Strip by Israel and Egypt from 2007 to present. One year after the 2005 disengagement from the Gaza Strip by Israel, Hamas won the Palestinian legislative election. Israel and the Quartet on the Middle East imposed sanctions against the Palestinian Authority. The stated reason was that Hamas would not agree to the conditions for continued aid: to recognize Israel, disavow violent actions, and accept the previous agreements between Israel and the PA.

In March 2007, Hamas and Fatah formed the unity government headed by Ismail Haniya. Shortly after, in June, Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip during the Battle of Gaza. Hamas seized government institutions and replaced Fatah and other government officials with Hamas members. Following the takeover, Egypt and Israel largely closed their border crossings with Gaza, on the grounds that Fatah had fled the Strip and was no longer able to provide security on the Palestinian side. Egypt was worried that Hamas control over Gaza would increase Iranian influence. Aboul Gheit explained that opening the Rafah border crossing would undermine the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority.

Israel says that the blockade is necessary to protect Israeli citizens from "terrorism, rocket attacks and any other hostile activity" by preventing "the entry of weapons and war material into Gaza". The blockade has been criticized by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and other human rights organizations. The International Committee of the Red Cross termed it "collective punishment" in violation of international humanitarian law.

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