The economic blockade is undoubtedly one of the most inhumane tools used in conflicts, and the history of struggle is full of instances where it was used with extreme harshness. The polytheists used it against the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from the early days of the Makkan call, displaying brutality and atrocity without regard for the sanctity of blood, kinship, or neighborhood. This blockade in Makkah’s valleys was extremely painful and lasted for a full three years.
In the “Zad al-Ma'ad” book by Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya, it is mentioned: “When the Quraysh saw the increasing influence of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), they unanimously agreed to a pact against Banu Hashim and Banu Muttalib: not to buy from them, not to marry from them, not to speak to them, and not to sit with them until they hand over the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to them. They documented this agreement in a scroll, which they hung in the Kaaba. The Prophet (peace be upon him) and those with him were confined in the Shi'b Abi Talib (Valley of Abi Talib) in the seventh year after prophethood, enduring severe restrictions. They were cut off from sustenance and resources for about three years. The blockade was so intense that the cries of their children could be heard from outside.”
Gaza Blockade
The statements made by the representative of the Zionist entity in the International Court of Justice in January regarding the criminal liability for this oppressive blockade on the Gaza Strip as an attempt to evade international law obligations provoked the world’s public opinion. He accused Egypt, saying, “It is responsible for preventing the entry of humanitarian and relief aid into the Gaza Strip from the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing.” His resort to implicating Egypt in this crime was unnecessary but was due to the real threat felt by the Zionist entity. South Africa succeeded in dragging it for the first time in its history to such a public global trial, conducted with precision, professionalism, and objectivity, exposing the entity before the world.
Gaza’s blockade is a complete crime, condemned morally and legally, and must be broken by mobilizing the Ummah
According to international law, Gaza, under Zionist occupation, is still subjected to a land, air, and sea blockade, along with strict control on the entry of humanitarian aid through its six crossings, previously open for trade. In 2022 alone, over $4.7 billion flowed to Gaza for the sake of “Israeli” trade and industry.
The Zionist enemy and its allies often believe in the ruthless use of the blockade as a weapon that will achieve their alleged goals. However, the natural result has been and will remain entirely the opposite, fueling anger, resentment, and resistance and igniting feelings of revenge. The siege on land, sea, and air has been relentless since 2006, following Hamas' electoral victory and the formation of the National Unity Government. This siege is one of the direct reasons leading to the outbreak of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” battle on October 7, 2023, baring strategic implications threatening Israel's existence and its affiliated regimes. Reality has proven that the siege has only enhanced the evolution, superiority, and triumph of the resistance, while the Palestinian people have demonstrated resilience, endurance, and support for the resistance.
The Gaza blockade is a fully-fledged crime, condemned by all humanitarian, ethical, religious, and legal standards, demanding the mobilization of the nation to break it, including:
1- The Role of the Ummah’s Scholars in Shaping Awareness:
There is no surprise in the Zionist enemy's blockade of the Gaza Strip, as it is part of a religious, existential, and fatal war. However, the major crime lies in the blockade being imposed by those close in kinship: nationality, Arabism, and religion. It represents a dangerous alignment with the Zionist enemy and genuine participation in this crime. Allah the Almighty says, “O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.” (Al-Ma'idah: 51). This requires the mobilization of the Ummah’s scholars to shape public opinion in the Arab, Islamic, and humanitarian spheres against this blockade. They should do so by judging it under Islamic law, considering that religion is a governing and influential reference in the perception and behavior of Muslims towards this cause. It is not permissible for a Muslim to betray, abandon, or surrender their Muslim brethren to their enemy.
2- The Role of Legal Professionals in Classifying this Blockade as a War Crime and a Genocide:
The United Nations, its envoys, and numerous human rights and humanitarian organizations have affirmed that the Gaza Strip is under siege and subject to occupation. Although the law of armed conflicts regulates the state of war occupation, known in jurisprudence as the “law of war occupation,” imposing obligations on the occupying state and considering their violation a war crime aimed at protecting civilian inhabitants and civilian objects in the occupied territory. However, since 2006, this blockade has led to the worst humanitarian catastrophe in modern times. For example, the World Health Organization recorded between 2008 and 2021 the deaths of 839 Palestinians who were prevented from leaving Gaza for medical treatment. Experts estimate that the number of deaths from diseases and hunger due to the blockade may be twice as many as those from combat and airstrikes.
A group of doctors in the “British Medical Journal” highlighted the health implications of the ongoing violence resulting from the continuous blockade, warning of a serious risk of genocide against the Palestinians.
Human rights advocates and legal professionals must push for the prosecution of the Zionist enemy in international courts, forcing them to abide by it
Furthermore, the siege on Gaza was further brutalized and intensified on October 9, 2023, when the brutal “Israeli” Minister of Defense, Gallant, declared that “Israel” is imposing a complete blockade on Gaza—no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel—everything is shut down. This statement placed 2.3 million people in a geographic area of 365,000 square kilometers at the mercy of thousands of bombs and missiles, a blatant violation of the rules of international humanitarian law. The blockade is considered an illegal form of collective punishment, prohibited by the Geneva Convention on International Law in Protocol III in Article 87, Protocol IV in Article 33, and its Additional Protocol in Article 50, as well as Rule 103 of customary international humanitarian law.
This legal characterization and identification of criminal liability for the blockade impose a duty on human rights advocates and legal professionals worldwide to push for the prosecution of the Zionist enemy in international courts, forcing them to abide by it.
3- The Role of Public Opinion in Pressuring Governments:
There are several means by which public opinion can exert pressure on governments to push for lifting the blockade, including the strength of political parties, the vitality of civil society, the momentum of popular marches and demonstrations, the effectiveness of economic boycott campaigns, and shaping public opinion through media outlets and various social media channels. All of these means are tools that serve their respective purposes. Supporting a fellow Muslim and lifting injustice from them is a religious duty, and whatever is necessary to fulfill this duty is obligatory. As stated in the Quran, “And if they seek help of you for the religion, then you must help.” (Al-Anfal: 72)
The entire Ummah is urgently called upon to act effectively to lift this criminal blockade on the Gaza Strip, halting the destructive war machine against the vulnerable Palestinian people. Allah the Almighty says, “And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, 'Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?'” (An-Nisa’: 75)
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