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 attacks in Israel by Hamas militants. Israel announced a "total blockade", blocking the entry of food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity. Israel has said that the Gaza Strip blockade would not be lifted until the hostages, who were abducted by Hamas, are safely returned to their homes. Hamas had announced that it would release all Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of all Palestinian prisoners by Israel. 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 resulted in a humanitarian crisis.