Why we sail: The siege of Gaza
Long before October 2023, israel’s blockade of Gaza had already crammed 2 million Palestinians into "the world's largest open-air prison", creating conditions often described as collective punishment. In 2006, following Hamas’ legislative election victory in Gaza, israel refused to hand over $7.4 billion in international aid pledged to the Palestinian Authority as a means to support the Palestinian people. Then in 2007, israel imposed a comprehensive blockade in the name of “security”, but widely understood as punishment against Palestinians for voting the "wrong" way. The siege has been described as a “slow death” where people faced daily hardships for decades.
Restrictions on movements
Israel, with Egypt’s assistance, closed Gaza’s borders preventing anyone from leaving except in rare humanitarian cases. Often, a person in need of medical treatment abroad had to travel alone, as other family members were denied permits. For those who did get permits, there was always an uncertainty hanging over whether they would be allowed to return. The residents of Gaza were also unable to travel to the West Bank or overseas. People living in the West Bank also experienced travel restrictions with a complex system of permits, checkpoints and barriers in place. These restrictions and border closures resulted in the fragmentation of the Palestinian population and meant that athletes, artists, students and other professionals have been prevented from pursuing international opportunities for decades. By 2020, the United Nations warned that Gaza was becoming “unliveable”.
Today, with over 90% if the population displaced from their homes, movement is not only severely restricted—it is dangerous.
Health systems under pressure
israel’s repeated attacks on Gaza’s hospitals have featured heavily in our social media posts on the genocide. The World Health Organization and the United Nations have reported at least 94% of Gaza’s hospitals have been damaged or destroyed since 2023. Yet the health system had already been under severe pressure even before the most recent bombing started.
After 2007, israel tightly controlled the medical supplies that were allowed to enter Gaza. This included everything from basic medicines to hospital equipment. If medical equipment broke down, it was impossible to repair because of the lack of spare parts. It was not unusual for Gaza’s hospitals to run out of chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics and pain medication. This led to situations where patients could have their chemotherapy treatment interrupted in the middle of a course.
Studies have shown that Gaza’s healthcare workforce has been under crisis level strain since at least 2007, and life for health employees in Gaza has been unimaginable during the escalation of the genocide.
Infrastructure weakened
Restrictions on construction materials, fuel, spare parts and technology led to a housing crisis and the breakdowns of infrastructure power, water and sanitation systems long before October 2023.
Over 70,000 Palestinians had already been displaced by the Israeli attacks on Gaza in 2014, which also caused massive infrastructure damage. Attempts to reconstruct were not only impeded by lack of supplies but were regularly set back by israeli airstrikes.
Before 2023, 78% of running water in Gaza had become unfit for human consumption. Adding to deliberate israeli attacks on water and sanitation infrastructure, power cuts had shut down its sewage treatment plants, leading to untreated sewage being dumped in the sea.
After October 7, israeli bombs caused even more destruction in a few months than they had in the previous 16 years. More than 80-92% of Gaza's buildings are now damaged or destroyed (250,000+ structures). There is an estimated 68 million tonnes of rubble, some of it contaminated with hazardous materials.
Gaza’s local industries brought to a standstill
Restrictions on the import of raw materials and on the movement of exports discouraged investment and made it impossible for local industries to prosper. By the early 2020s, roughly 80% of the population depended on humanitarian assistance.
Gaza’s fishing industry once supported 110,000 employees and provided critical food security, but has struggled against israel’s constantly shifting restrictions on the area it permits to be fished. Despite a 1995 agreement of a 20 nautical mile zone, israel has typically enforced a limit between 3 and 15 nautical miles, often confiscating fishing boats and killing hundreds of fishermen.
Gaza’s farming industry, too, was considered an exemplar of self-sufficiency. Famous for its strawberry and flower exports, Gaza was also able to provide its population with all the produce it needed. Following 2007, israel took over farming land as no-go zones and access to water was restricted. Exports virtually disappeared, while the import of fertiliser was severely restricted. Farmers were frequently targeted by israeli snipers.
Since 2023, 100,000 tons of bombs dropped by israel have caused an environmental disaster, with 97% of tree crops, 95% of greenhouses, 82% of seasonal crops destroyed. Soil, air, ground water and seas are contaminated, with far-reaching and long-term impact amounting to ecocide under international law.
Education interrupted
Palestinians have always had a reputation for excelling in education, with literacy rates remaining at around 95% despite israeli attacks interrupting schooling. It’s a testament to the importance Palestinians have historically put on education.
After the siege began in 2007, schools struggled with overcrowding and shortages of textbooks and stationery. Libraries and bookshops were damaged in israeli bombings. Students have had their education constantly disrupted, and those who won overseas scholarships have been unable to take them up because of restrictions on travel.
UNICEF and UNRWA report that since 2023, 85-95% of schools and universities in Gaza have been destroyed.
Gaza’s economy collapsed
As a result of the siege that started in 2007:
GDP per capita dropped by 37%.
Unemployment increased to 47%
Youth unemployment was as high as 60%
By 2022, the poverty rate was 65%.
The current war did not start in October 2023. Its history is rooted in the slow death that was inflicted on both Gaza and the West Bank from 2007.
Gaza cannot wait any longer. Nor can the West Bank. It is time to end the siege and stop the genocide.
Immediate actions needed:
- Lift the siege: Join GSF and other initiatives to end decades of collective punishment and break the blockade.
- Unrestricted imports: Apply pressure to allow full access to food, medicine, and construction materials.
- Accountability: Hold israel and world governments accountable for genocide and war crimes. Governments are not failing to protect Palestinians—they are actively cooperating with israel.
It is left to people everywhere to act now to prevent further catastrophe and begin Gaza's long road to recovery.
This is why we are sailing.