Opinion Eye on Gaza

Gazans found themselves in this unfortunate position following Hamas’s victory in the Strip in 2007. Hamas,declared as a terrorist organisation,has refused to recognise Israel. And Israel maintains that the siege — with all three borders closed — is to bring an end to the Qassam rockets that Hamas lobs into its territory,weaken the organisation and eventually get back captured soldier Gilad Shalit. Hosni Mubarak,an Israeli ally,sealed Egypt’s border with Gaza despite condemnations from Egyptians.

But then the Arab Spring happened.

As Egypt restructures after its revolution,rebuilds its domestic institutions,a new foreign policy is emerging. Gaza is post-revolution Egypt’s first initiative and has been a resounding success. Egypt’s foreign minister,Nabil al-Arabi,pushed for lifting the blockade to alleviate the “suffering of the Palestinian nation”. Two months of negotiations between Hamas and Fatah have resulted in a reconciliation and the formation of a unity government — expected sometime this month.

For Egypt,the Gaza initiative also means a more stable Egypt. As the country grapples with the fallout of the revolution and people unite behind different banners,the Muslim Brotherhood stands at the forefront of the political game. Just across the border in Gaza,then,the cries for freedom can’t be ignored,especially when Hamas is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Life in Gaza is no walk in the park. The situation has in the past got so dire that Gazans have stormed the Egyptian border to get essential supplies. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees lists light bulbs,candles,matches and books as goods refused entry. Building material such as concrete,cement and wood are generally always prohibited into the Strip. Gazans cannot export their agricultural products and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation states that 61 per cent of Gazans are food-insecure. It’s in this climate that Hamas’s power has become further entrenched and the organisation has often steered towards a reformist path.

To attain greater political legitimacy,Hamas has edged away from violence towards infrastructure development projects such as construction of paved roads and a water and sewerage network. Schools are built and electricity supplies are better rationed. Hamas is also divided between the hardliners and pragmatists,and for much of the past year there has been a move towards better governance. It must be noted that Hamas has recruited independent and qualified technocrats to serve in government.

Despite the celebrations following the Rafah border opening,the siege will continue. Rafah is just a pedestrian crossing; passengers are allowed to move freely but cargo is still prohibited and it is basic goods that the people of Gaza need the most. A statement from Israel,following the opening of the border,maintains its position of no cargo entry. Israel thus continues to control all of Gaza’s cargo crossings.

But another development is taking place. It was in May last year that international audiences saw footage of Israeli commandos storming an aid flotilla — the Turkish boat Mavi Marmara — and killing nine people. It was then that Israel,under immense pressure from the international community,eased the blockade. In the third week of this month,a flotilla of 10 ships with around 1,000 passengers will travel to Gaza,to protest the blockade.

It is the reaction to that flotilla that should be watched. The siege of Gaza has failed. Hamas has not been weakened,in fact it has cemented its power further.

Fatah has almost faded away in the Strip and the punished are the ordinary citizens of Gaza. The Arab Spring is changing the face of the Middle East,Gaza is in desperate need of change. Thus the next aid flotilla should be a reminder of Gaza’s plight. For,in Gaza,the UN has found bottled water to be contaminated as well.

alia.allana@expressindia.com