Gaza Under Siege: A History of Aggression

From colonial expulsions to modern-day bombardments, Gaza’s story is a chronicle of relentless struggle—and of remarkable endurance.

Roots of the Conflict: Pre-1948 Displacement

Long before Israel’s founding, Zionist paramilitary groups like Haganah and Irgun carried out operations in towns adjacent to Gaza—Isdud (present-day Ashdod) and Majdal (now Ashkelon). These assaults resulted in widespread forced displacement of Palestinian civilians and the destruction of numerous villages.

2005: Disengagement or Entrapment?

While Israel’s withdrawal of settlers and troops in 2005 appeared to be a step toward peace, it instead inaugurated a severe blockade of Gaza—by land, sea, and air. Many international observers now argue that Gaza has become akin to an open-air prison under these restrictions

Escalating Military Campaigns (2006–2021)

A series of devastating operations followed:

• 2006 – Operation Summer Rains & Autumn Clouds: Triggered by the capture of an Israeli soldier, these campaigns caused extensive infrastructure damage and heavy casualties.
• 2008–2009 – Operation Cast Lead: A 23-day assault resulting in more than 1,400 Palestinian deaths, many of whom were civilians; critical facilities—including schools and hospitals—were targeted.
• 2012 – Operation Pillar of Cloud: This eight-day offensive claimed over 160 Palestinian lives.
• 2014 – Operation Protective Edge: One of the most catastrophic escalations, resulting in more than 2,200 Palestinian deaths, including over 500 children; entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble.
• 2018 – The Great March of Return: Thousands of unarmed demonstrators at the Gaza border faced live fire—over 300 were killed and thousands injured.
• 2021 – Operation Guardian of the Walls: An 11-day operation during which over 260 Palestinians, including entire families, were killed.

2023 and Beyond: A Humanitarian Catastrophe

Following events in October 2023, Israel launched an ongoing large-scale military campaign that has devastated Gaza. Reports indicate that over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, though the true number is likely far higher due to bodies trapped under rubble and the collapse of health and reporting systems. Hospitals, refugee camps, schools, and UN shelters have been repeatedly targeted, leaving families with nowhere safe to turn.

Beyond the immediate deaths from airstrikes and ground assaults, Gaza is facing mass starvation—entirely man-made. The blockade has deliberately restricted food, fuel, and medical supplies, while farmland, bakeries, and water infrastructure have been destroyed. Humanitarian agencies warn that children are dying of hunger and dehydration in a crisis described as “unprecedented and engineered.”

The death toll is expected to be much higher than reported, as entire neighborhoods have been erased, and many remain unaccounted for. What unfolds today in Gaza is not only a military onslaught but also the systematic use of deprivation as a weapon of war.

©TNPP