20 Years ago, Israel Withdrew from Gaza. What happened in 2005, and why does it matter today?
A thread 🧵:
A thread 🧵:
On August 15, 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew from the Gaza Strip, in a bold move for peace. The IDF evacuated 8,000+ Israelis who had been living in 21 communities/settlements across Gaza.
Israel decided to remove every soldier and civilian — even exhuming dead bodies — from the territory unilaterally, meaning without Palestinian leadership agreeing to peace in return.
At the time this was deeply controversial in Israel, and remains so to this day because of what happened after.
Israel decided to remove every soldier and civilian — even exhuming dead bodies — from the territory unilaterally, meaning without Palestinian leadership agreeing to peace in return.
At the time this was deeply controversial in Israel, and remains so to this day because of what happened after.
Israel left behind agricultural infrastructure, including greenhouses and irrigation systems, that produced almost 15% of Israel’s agricultural exports.
This could have helped bolster Gaza’s economy and trade with the world. Instead, many of these greenhouses were destroyed by Gazans soon after the Israelis left.
This could have helped bolster Gaza’s economy and trade with the world. Instead, many of these greenhouses were destroyed by Gazans soon after the Israelis left.
The decision to withdraw unilaterally followed years of suicide bombings, rockets, mortars, and other attacks from Gaza targeting Israelis. Carried out by groups like Hamas, this violence intensified during the Second Intifada (2000-2005), a period when over 1,000 Israelis were murdered in a devastating and deadly wave of terrorism.
Israel hoped leaving Gaza would reduce the violence and open the door to peace.
Israel hoped leaving Gaza would reduce the violence and open the door to peace.
In 2006, Hamas won Palestinian elections, beating its rival, Fatah, which controls the Palestinian Authority (PA).
In 2007, Hamas violently overthrew Fatah and the PA in Gaza. Hamas took over the territory, while the PA continued to rule Palestinian communities in the West Bank/Judea & Samaria.
In 2007, Hamas violently overthrew Fatah and the PA in Gaza. Hamas took over the territory, while the PA continued to rule Palestinian communities in the West Bank/Judea & Samaria.
After Israel withdrew, Palestinians had the opportunity to build safe, thriving, and independent communities in Gaza.
Instead, Hamas:
• Stole billions in humanitarian aid funds.
• Built over 350 miles of terror tunnels, often using child labor. They ruthlessly militarized civilian areas all over Gaza, putting their own people in harm’s way.
• Fired over 20,000 rockets and missiles at homes and families across Israel.
• Ruled Gaza with an iron fist, oppressing women, LGBTQ+ people, and other minorities, while violently cracking down on dissent.
• Freedom of speech, press, and assembly are not allowed in Gaza, and there have been no elections since Hamas took over.
Instead, Hamas:
• Stole billions in humanitarian aid funds.
• Built over 350 miles of terror tunnels, often using child labor. They ruthlessly militarized civilian areas all over Gaza, putting their own people in harm’s way.
• Fired over 20,000 rockets and missiles at homes and families across Israel.
• Ruled Gaza with an iron fist, oppressing women, LGBTQ+ people, and other minorities, while violently cracking down on dissent.
• Freedom of speech, press, and assembly are not allowed in Gaza, and there have been no elections since Hamas took over.
After Hamas came to power, both Israel and Egypt put a blockade in place to prevent weapons from reaching terrorists in Gaza. Israel also helped deliver thousands of tons of aid to Gaza every week, but Palestinian civilians still suffered under Hamas rule.
Hamas could have ended the blockade by stopping all terrorism against Israeli civilians, accepting Israel’s existence, and negotiating peace. They chose endless war instead.
Hamas could have ended the blockade by stopping all terrorism against Israeli civilians, accepting Israel’s existence, and negotiating peace. They chose endless war instead.
The IDF tried to end the attacks from Hamas, fighting wars against the terrorist group in 2008-2009, 2012, 2014, and 2021.
Then, on October 7, 2023, Hamas launched the deadliest massacre in Israel’s history; murdering over 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages (50 reportedly remain in Gaza).
This led to the October 7th War, which has been heartbreaking for Israelis and tragic for Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Then, on October 7, 2023, Hamas launched the deadliest massacre in Israel’s history; murdering over 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages (50 reportedly remain in Gaza).
This led to the October 7th War, which has been heartbreaking for Israelis and tragic for Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Israel left Gaza hoping it would make peace more likely.
Hamas turned that opportunity into two decades of war, suffering, and destruction for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Hamas turned that opportunity into two decades of war, suffering, and destruction for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Peace and prosperity for Gaza can only come when civilians have the chance to rebuild their homes and their lives, free from Hamas and its reign of terror.
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