The barrier surrounding Gaza, which would soon be mimicked by one inside the West Bank, placed Gazans at the mercy of those who were keeping them within the barrier. Egypt and Israel, along with the West Bank, were the primary markets for Gazan exports and, despite the withdrawal of its settlements and soldiers, Israel maintained control over Gaza’s airspace and coastline. Gaza also remained dependent on Israel for water and electricity.53 These facts formed the basis for the widely held position that Gaza remains under Israeli occupation to this day.54
