Gaza’s Fate Now Lies in Israeli Hands

In the occupied Gaza Strip, Israel’s stringent border restrictions and severe limitations on movement have evolved far beyond temporary “security measures.” What was once presented as short-term controls has become a permanent instrument of collective punishment, leaving ordinary Palestinians entirely at the mercy of Israeli authorisation for their basic survival needs.

Since the outbreak of conflict in October 2023, Israel has assumed full control over border crossings, effectively dictating who can enter or exit Gaza. As a result, essential rights—including access to food, healthcare, and education—are now subject to a bureaucratic and highly restrictive approval system.

The situation deteriorated further in May 2024, when Israel took over control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing. This crossing, historically the sole gateway connecting Gaza to the outside world, has since been closed or heavily restricted. Humanitarian aid trucks are frequently held up, and thousands of tonnes of perishable food supplies have spoiled before reaching those in desperate need.

Access to urgent medical care has become particularly complicated. According to the World Health Organization, over 18,500 patients in Gaza currently await emergency treatment abroad, yet only a handful are granted permission to cross the border. Human rights organisations have condemned the restrictions, describing them as a deliberate strategy to maintain a long-term blockade of the territory. Over the past year, at least 1,600 Palestinians who required advanced medical care abroad have died within Gaza due to delays and denials.

Even when the border is partially opened, residents face multiple layers of Israeli security checks, interrogations, and protracted delays. Experts warn that these measures not only curtail freedom of movement but also have devastating repercussions for Gaza’s education system, economy, and family life.

Key Humanitarian Impact in Gaza (2026)

The blockade, ongoing since 2007, has driven Gaza’s northern regions to the brink of famine. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that Israeli military restrictions on roads and crossings are exacerbating a severe food crisis, leaving ordinary civilians extremely vulnerable.

Human rights activists argue that the control of movement imposed by Israel is pushing Gaza’s population into a state of prolonged uncertainty and deprivation, constituting clear violations of international law and potentially amounting to war crimes. With limited access to education, healthcare, and the global economy, Gaza’s residents are trapped in an enduring humanitarian emergency, facing daily uncertainty over their survival.