2023 Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip

On 9 October 2023, Israel intensified the blockade of the Gaza Strip in response to the beginning of the Israel–Hamas war and the 7 October attack on Israel by Hamas-led Palestinian militants. Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a "total blockade", blocking the entry of food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity. Israel stated that the blockade would not be lifted until the hostages abducted by Hamas are returned, while Hamas stated that it would release all Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of all Palestinian prisoners by Israel. Later, Gallant changed his position of a complete blockade. On 18 October 2023, United States President Joe Biden announced that Israel and Egypt had agreed to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip, with the first supplies entering on 21 October 2023. The blockade exacerbated Gaza's humanitarian crisis.