Key Facts
- Blockade declared
- 9 October 2023
- First aid entry after blockade
- 21 October 2023
- Aid blocked to N. Gaza (Jan 2024)
- 56% of humanitarian aid
- Palestinians denied food (Feb 2024)
- 1.1 million
- Deaths near GHF aid sites
- Over 1,400 Palestinian deaths
- International calls to end blockade
- 27 European countries, 100+ aid organizations
Strategic Narrative Overview
Under U.S. pressure, Israel partially eased the complete blockade within weeks, allowing limited aid from 21 October 2023, though severe restrictions persisted. In January 2024 authorities blocked 56% of humanitarian aid to northern Gaza. A brief relaxation occurred during the January 2025 ceasefire, but Israel reimposed a total closure on 2 March 2025—the longest complete closure in the blockade's history. Israeli settlers also physically blocked and attacked aid convoys.
01 / The Origins
Following the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023, Israel declared a 'total blockade' of the Gaza Strip on 9 October 2023, cutting off food, water, medicine, fuel, and electricity. The measure was framed by Israel as pressure to secure the return of hostages taken during the attacks, but critics, including numerous international bodies, condemned it as collective punishment of Gaza's civilian population.
03 / The Outcome
As of mid-2025 the blockade remains ongoing with no resolution. Famine conditions have taken hold across the Gaza Strip, exacerbated by airstrikes on food infrastructure. A U.S.- and Israeli-backed humanitarian foundation began limited aid distribution from May 2025, but operations were marred by mass casualty incidents. Over 27 European nations and more than 100 international aid organizations have called for an immediate end to the blockade.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Benjamin Netanyahu.
Side B
1 belligerent