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OPT: Obstacle course - Students denied exit from Gaza

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Introduction

Since June 2007, when Hamas seized control of the internal governmental institutions of the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip, Israel has kept Gaza's borders almost entirely closed. The closure is part of a broader policy of collective punishment which Israel has imposed on the residents of the Strip.(1)

The closure means that the 1.5 million residents of the Gaza Strip cannot leave the Strip or reenter it. All travel for medical treatment, education, business, and family visits is denied to Gaza residents. The connection between Gaza residents and the outside world has been severed.

Among those trapped are hundreds of young men and women who have been accepted into academic programs abroad. Due to the closure, they have not been able to leave Gaza to pursue their studies.

Israel is able to implement this closure policy due to its ongoing control of the borders between Gaza and the outside world. This control continues despite implementation of the "disengagement" plan in September 2005, in which Israel removed permanent military installations and civilian settlements from Gaza. Israel maintains full control of the Gaza Strip's territorial waters and air space, as well as all overland border crossings between the Strip and Israel. In addition, Israel maintains substantial control of the overland border crossings between Gaza and Egypt, since it holds veto power over the opening of Rafah Crossing to regular traffic.(2)

With power come obligations. Israel's control over the movement of Gaza residents and other significant aspects of life in Gaza creates duties and obligations on the part of Israel under the laws of occupation and other provisions of international laws.(3)