The Gaza Strip has been under a heightened Israeli blockade since the militant group Hamas seized control in June 2007. Israel wants to weaken Hamas, end rocket attacks from Gaza and get back captured soldier Gilad Shalit. Amnesty International has dubbed the blockade "collective punishment" resulting in a "humanitarian crisis"; UN officials have described the situation as "grim", "deteriorating" and a "medieval siege". Turkish ship “Mavi Marmara” tried to break the blockade, leading to the death of nine activists. Later, the Irish ship “Rachel Corrie” was boarded and taken to an Israeli port. This is a photo story about life in the Gaza Strip under the Israeli blockade.
