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Gaza Strip: Challenges and the Two-State Debate

PWOnlyIAS October 17, 2023 11:02 9816 0

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On October 12, 2023, in the wake of a major assault by Hamas militants on Israel, Israel's Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, declared a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, which would entail a shutdown of essential resources such as electricity, food, water, and fuel.

Gaza Strip: Challenges and the Two-State Debate

Context: On October 12, 2023, in the wake of a major assault by Hamas militants on Israel, Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, declared a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, which would entail a shutdown of essential resources such as electricity, food, water, and fuel.

Gaza

What is the Gaza Strip?

  • The Strip is a small region located between Israel and Egypt on the Mediterranean Sea, one of two Palestinian territories, with the other being the Israeli-occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
  • Historical and Cultural Significance: The region has a rich historical heritage, having been home to various civilizations over the centuries, including the Ancient Egyptians, Philistines, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. 
  • Geopolitical Importance: Situated on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the Strip occupies a crucial geopolitical position. 
    • It shares borders with Egypt and Israel, which are both key players in the Middle East. 
  • Ongoing Conflict and Violence: The Strip has been a frequent site of conflict, including major military operations and wars, with significant loss of life and destruction. 
Timeline 
1947: United Nations Partition Plan

  • In 1947, the United Nations approved a plan to partition Mandatory Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. The city of Gaza and surrounding areas were allotted to Palestinian Arabs. This decision followed World War II and the Holocaust.

1948: Arab-Israeli War

  • On May 15, 1948, war broke out between Israel and Arab countries, including Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt. This land became strategically important to Egyptian forces during the conflict.

1949: Armistice Agreement

  • On February 24, 1949, an armistice agreement was reached between Egypt and Israel, formally establishing the boundaries of the territory known as the Strip.

1956: Suez Crisis

  • The Suez Crisis of 1956, triggered by Egypt’s nationalization of the Suez Canal Company, led to Israeli, French, and British efforts to regain control of the canal. As part of this conflict, Israel occupied the Strip temporarily.

1967: Six-Day War

  • In June 1967, the Six-Day War erupted, leading to Israeli forces capturing the Strip and other territories. More than 1 million Arab refugees came under Israeli rule, strengthening support for the Palestinian Liberation Organization.

1987: First Intifada

  • In 1987, the First Intifada, a series of protests and riots against Israeli rule, began. The conflict prompted the formation of Hamas in Gaza.

2000: Second Intifada 

  • The Second Intifada was a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation.
  • It started in 2000 after Ariel Sharon’s visit to the Al-Aqsa compound, leading to violent clashes.
  • The conflict included gunfire, suicide bombings, and other attacks by both Palestinians and Israelis.

2005: Israeli Withdrawal

  • The Second Intifada concluded in 2005 with the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit.
  • At the summit, both sides agreed to halt violence and commit to the peace process.
  • In 2005, Israel withdrew its military and settlers from the Strip for security and political reasons. 
  • The Strip was often referred to as a “hornet’s nest” due to extremism, poverty, and fundamentalism.

 2006: Hamas Election Victory

  • In 2006, Hamas won a democratic election in the Strip, defeating Fatah. Hamas launched a campaign to eliminate Palestinian security forces, leading to its complete takeover of the Strip both politically and in terms of security.

2007: After Hamas’ takeover

  • After Hamas takes control in Strip, Israel imposes a permanent blockade.
  • Egypt joins the blockade, restricting the movement of people, goods, and aid.
  • Gaza Strip is referred to as an “open air prison.”

Open Air Prison

The conditions in Strip have led to the term “open air prison” being widely used by experts, activists, journalists, and international organizations to describe life in Strip under the blockade. This term reflects the extreme limitations on movement, severe living conditions, and restricted access to essential resources.

2021: Escalation of Tensions

  • In 2021, tensions escalated with militants firing over 4,000 projectiles into Israel over 11 days. Retaliatory Israeli air strikes resulted in casualties on both sides.

2023 (October):

  • After a major attack by Hamas militants on Israel, the Israeli defense minister orders a “complete siege” of the Strip, resulting in severe restrictions on electricity, food, water, and fuel.

 

Gaza

 

The Gaza Strip’s Vulnerabilities: Dependence on Israel for Resources and the Looming Humanitarian Crisis

  • Dependence on Israel: The densely populated Strip heavily relies on Israel for crucial resources such as water, electricity, and food. 
    • The implementation of a more severe blockade would have a far-reaching impact on the region’s population.
  • Primary Imports: There primary imports, including food, consumer goods, and construction materials, come from Israel and Egypt, the strip’s main trade partners.
  • Food Sources: Most of Gaza’s fresh fruits and vegetables are sourced from farms along its border with Israel.
  • Electricity Dependency: They are largely depends on Israel for electricity, despite having one old power plant of its own.
  • Water Crisis: The enclave faces a critical water crisis, with some groundwater sources contaminated and salinated. 
    • Over 90 percent of the water in Gaza’s sole aquifer is no longer safe for consumption.

Demographics Challenges & Gaza Strip’s Humanitarian Crisis

  • Palestinian Refugees: According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), more than 1.4 million residents of the Strip are Palestinian refugees.

Gaza

  • Economic Challenges: One of the highest unemployment rates globally, according to World Bank statistics. 
    • The United Nations estimates that roughly 80 percent of the population depends on international aid to survive and access basic services.
  • Violation of Geneva Conventions: The International Committee of the Red Cross has gone further to claim that the blockade violates the Geneva Conventions, an assertion that Israeli officials have rejected.
  • Socioeconomic Decline: It has been steadily deteriorating for at least the last fifteen years, as noted by the UNRWA website. 
    • The blockade, in particular, has had a devastating effect, severely restricting people’s movement to and from the Strip and access to markets, resulting in collective punishment for the population.

Impact of Gaza Conflict on India: Oil Prices, Rupee Instability, and Concerns for the Indian Diaspora

  • Crude Oil Prices: India heavily relies on oil imports, and any instability in the Middle East can affect global oil prices.
    • The conflict could lead to a surge in oil prices, impacting India’s import bill and inflationary pressures.
  • Impact on Rupees: The conflict could weaken the Indian Rupee (INR) against the US Dollar (USD), making imports more expensive and potentially affecting India’s trade balance.
    • Increased geopolitical tensions may lead to foreign investors withdrawing from Indian equities, causing outflows.
  • OPEC’s Role: Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt do not support the Hamas movement.
    • OPEC nations may aim to limit oil price increases to around 10-12%, as they have informal agreements with the USA to maintain stable oil prices.
  • Impact on Diaspora: India has a significant Indian expatriate community in the Middle East.
    • The conflict’s escalation may affect the safety and well-being of Indian citizens living in the region, potentially leading to repatriation efforts.

Way Forward: Navigating Regional Dynamics

  • Inclusion of Hamas: Acknowledging the reality of Hamas’ political influence in Gaza is essential.
    • Engaging Hamas in the political process and addressing its concerns can contribute to a more pragmatic trajectory.
  • Leadership Responsibility: Israel’s leadership bears the responsibility of addressing the security crisis effectively, given their strong stance on security and the Palestinian issue.
  • India’s role in the UN: As a non-permanent member of the UNSC, India should work with others to promote security and stability in the Middle East and West Asia, particularly by mediating in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
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Gaza Strip FAQs

The Strip holds historical, cultural, and geopolitical significance due to its location and its role as one of the Palestinian territories, central to the ongoing conflict.

The population of the Strip faces severe challenges, including dependence on Israel for crucial resources, high unemployment, and a critical water crisis.

The conflict in the Strip can impact India through its effects on crude oil prices, the Indian Rupee's stability, and the safety of the Indian diaspora in the region.

Hamas plays a significant political role in th Strip, and its inclusion in the peace process is crucial for a more pragmatic trajectory.

Global leaders, including India, hold responsibilities to promote stability and security, emphasizing the need for diplomatic efforts and conflict resolution mechanisms in the region.

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