Lyla Dejesus
Israel has been imposing a blockade on Gaza since 2006, restricting the entry of goods and people. The list of prohibited products is extensive and ever-changing, including seemingly arbitrary items such as coriander, chocolate, baby bottles, and wedding dresses. Israel has cited security reasons for these bans, but the specific justifications remain undisclosed. The impact of the blockade has been devastating for Gaza, with reports of an economic war aiming to paralyze the economy and pressure the Hamas government. The restrictions have led to the closure of factories, affecting Gaza's exports and straining an already fragile economy. With over 1,000 items banned, the situation has been described as suffocating Gaza, where even basic necessities are denied to the civilian population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | Since 2006 |
| Who | Israel |
| Reason | Security reasons, to pressure Hamas to stop its attacks, to control the movement of goods and people between Gaza and the West Bank |
| Items banned | Coriander, chocolate, baby bottles, diapers, soap, hammers, cleaning sponges, soccer balls, crayons, potato chips, musical instruments, sheets/blankets, mattresses, shoes, batteries for hearing aids, wheelchairs, ventilators, oxygen cylinders, anaesthetics, water filtration systems, X-ray machines, crutches, school supplies, medical equipment, power generators, children's bicycles, toys, sewing machines, fabrics, notebooks, empty flower pots, spices, cement, steel, dates, sleeping bags, medicines to treat cancer, water purification tablets, maternity kits, books, cups, candles, glasses, cutlery, tea, coffee, semolina, large dairy products, electrical appliances, utensils, pottery, needles, car parts, wood, fuel, gas |
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What You'll Learn
Israel's control of Gaza's imports
Israel has been blockading the Gaza Strip since 2005-2006, with the blockade intensifying in 2007 when Hamas took control of the region. This blockade has seen Israel gain control over the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza, with only three crossings in and out of the region, two of which are controlled by Israel.
Israel has imposed stringent import restrictions on Gaza, with a long and ever-changing list of prohibited products. These restrictions have been described by Israel as "economic warfare", with the intention of putting pressure on Hamas. Israel has banned a variety of everyday items from entering Gaza, including coriander, chocolate, baby bottles, diapers, soap, and wedding dresses. The bans have also included more essential items such as construction materials, cement, and steel, as well as dual-use" items like computer equipment, which are only permitted as part of donor projects.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense has cited security reasons for these bans, but the specific justifications have not been disclosed. Organizations have relied on information from merchants and international organizations to understand what is allowed and prohibited. The arbitrary nature of the restrictions has been highlighted by incidents such as the confiscation of chocolate bars for allegedly supporting Hamas.
In response to international pressure, Israel has occasionally eased restrictions and allowed certain items into Gaza. For example, in 2010, Israel lifted the ban on chocolate, soda, juice, and other items. More recently, in 2025, Israel announced that it would allow the gradual and controlled entry of humanitarian aid, including basic food products, baby food, and hygiene supplies, into Gaza through local merchants. However, the import restrictions have had a significant impact on Gaza's economy, leading to the closure of factories and causing widespread deprivation among the civilian population.
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The impact on Gaza's economy
The Israeli blockade of Gaza, which began in 2006, has had a devastating impact on the economy of the region. The blockade has been described as an "economic war" aiming to paralyze Gaza's economy and pressure the Hamas government. Over the years, Israel has imposed bans on a wide range of items, from basic commodities to essential goods, making it difficult for businesses in Gaza to operate and meet the needs of the local population.
One of the most significant impacts of the blockade has been the disruption of Gaza's exports. According to a border official, around 40 to 50 trucks transporting local goods used to leave Gaza daily before the blockade. Now, local companies have been hit hard, and many businesses have become inactive due to the restrictions. For example, the Ahli Travel and Tours company, which used to send people to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, has seen its offices become empty and dilapidated due to the blockade.
The ban on essential goods has also contributed to the economic strain. In 2018, Israel banned the entry of baby bottles, diapers, soap, and wedding dresses, among other items. This has led to the closure of 80% of factories in Gaza, pushing its economy to the brink of collapse. The constant fluctuation of banned items creates uncertainty for businesses and makes it challenging to plan and operate.
The blockade has also restricted the movement of people, further impacting the economy. The restrictions on the movement of individuals and goods have made it difficult for businesses to access markets and conduct trade. The siege has intensified over time, with Israel partially sealing off the Karem Abu Salem commercial border crossing in 2018, further limiting the flow of goods and people.
The impact of the blockade on Gaza's economy has been severe, with high unemployment and poverty rates. The restrictions have made it challenging for businesses to operate, and the local population struggles to access basic necessities. The fluctuating and arbitrary nature of the banned items list has created uncertainty and hindered economic development in the region.
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The arbitrary nature of bans
The Israeli blockade of Gaza has been in place since 2006, with continuous updates to the list of banned goods. The list of prohibited products is not officially verified by Israeli authorities, and there is no official list. This has led to criticism of the arbitrary nature of the bans, which include seemingly harmless goods such as coriander, chocolate, crayons, toys, and wedding dresses.
The fluctuating policy has targeted a wide range of items, from spices to sweets, and has even included basic necessities like baby bottles, diapers, and soap. Israel has cited security reasons for these bans, but has refused to disclose specific justifications. This lack of transparency has further fueled criticism of the arbitrary nature of the restrictions.
The impact of the blockade has been devastating for Gaza's economy and civilian population. It has led to the closure of factories and businesses, disrupted exports, and made it difficult for essential humanitarian aid to enter the region. The list of banned items has also raised concerns about an economic war aiming to paralyze Gaza's economy and pressure the Hamas government.
The Israeli government has defended its actions by stating that the bans are intended to pressure Hamas to stop its attacks. However, critics argue that the blockade has only intensified, even after the rockets stopped, and that it is being used to make life miserable for Palestinians and force them to leave their land.
The arbitrary nature of the bans is further highlighted by incidents like the confiscation of 23 tons of chocolate bars in 2021, which was allegedly due to concerns about supporting Hamas. The list of prohibited items has also included books, cups, candles, sheets, glasses, cutlery, tea, coffee, electrical appliances, musical instruments, and car parts. Many of these items are essential for daily life, and their prohibition has severely impacted the civilian population in Gaza.
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The international response
International response to Israel's blockade of Gaza has been one of condemnation and pressure. An Israeli human rights group, Gisha, sued the Israeli authorities in 2010, demanding answers for the arbitrary bans on certain items. Gisha, alongside other organisations, has been instrumental in highlighting the blockade's impact, relying on information from merchants and international organisations to deduce what is allowed and prohibited.
International media outlets like Al Jazeera and The Guardian have also played a crucial role in shedding light on the issue. In 2018, Al Jazeera reported on an exhibition in Gaza City displaying over 1,000 banned "basic commodities," including wedding dresses, to call attention to Israel's "suffocating" siege. The Guardian, in a 2024 article, listed items banned by Israel, such as toys, spices, and sewing machines, illustrating the blockade's extensive reach.
International pressure has led to some changes in Israel's restrictions. For instance, in 2009, Senator John Kerry questioned the Defence Minister, Ehud Barak, about the rationale behind the bans during a visit to Gaza, resulting in the lifting of the pasta ban. In 2010, intense international pressure forced Israel to lift restrictions on chocolates, soda, juice, and other items. However, the blockade remains largely intact, with Israel continuing to ban essential goods and exert control over Gaza's economy and civilian population.
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The history of the blockade
The blockade of Gaza by Israel has been ongoing since 2006, with continuous bombardment and bans on everyday essentials. Israel has sole control over what goods are allowed or banned from entering the Strip. This control began with the blockade imposed by the occupation in 2006 and strengthened in 2007. The blockade has impacted both the movement of people and goods, with a constantly changing list of prohibited products in Gaza.
In 2005, Israel first threatened to impose an "economic siege" on the Gaza Strip if the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, refused to disarm the militant groups. The following year, after Hamas won 74 out of 132 seats in the Palestinian legislative elections, Israel escalated its blockade, hoping to make life difficult for Palestinians in Gaza and turn them against Hamas. This strategy was described by Dov Weisglass, an adviser to the Israeli prime minister at the time, as "the idea is to put the Palestinians on a diet, but not to make them die of hunger".
In 2007, when Hamas took complete control of Gaza, Israel declared it "hostile territory" and made its blockade permanent, severely limiting Gaza's access to the outside world. The blockade would continue to fluctuate over the years, easing and tightening with changing lists of prohibited products. In 2010, the number of banned goods increased significantly, with seemingly arbitrary items such as coriander, jam, chocolate, dried fruits, fabrics, notebooks, and toys being prevented from entering Gaza.
In 2018, the blockade intensified once more, with Israel banning more than 1,000 basic commodities, including wedding dresses, baby bottles, diapers, fuel, and gas deliveries. This latest version of the blockade is nearly total, threatening the very survival of Gaza's civilian population. Israel has cited security reasons for these bans, but the arbitrary nature of the restrictions has raised concerns about an economic war aiming to paralyze Gaza's economy and pressure the Hamas government.
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Frequently asked questions
Israel has been imposing a blockade on Gaza since 2006, banning the entry of over 1,000 items, including wedding dresses. The blockade has been described as an attempt to make life difficult for Palestinians, with the intention of pressuring Hamas.
A wide range of items have been banned from entering Gaza, including baby bottles, diapers, soap, chocolate, toys, medical equipment, and school supplies. Some of these bans have been lifted due to international pressure.
The blockade has had a devastating impact on Gaza's economy, leading to the closure of 80% of factories and severely limiting the movement of goods and people. Gaza's exports have also been affected, further straining the economy.
The blockade has been met with international criticism and pressure to lift some of the bans. An Israeli human rights group, Gisha, has been tracking the banned items and sued the Israeli authorities for their arbitrary restrictions.
