boomerang?

13th June 2011.

A UNRWA report marking five years of Israel's (partial) siege on the Gaza strip suggests the policy is strengthening Hamas's hold of the strip instead of weakening it.

While legitimate businesses in Gaza that were dependent on import via Israel collapsed, bringing unemployment in 2010 to 45% (!), Hamas businesses are booming (pun intended).
Countless tunnels dug under the border with Egypt are used to smuggle in everything from long range missiles to goats and children's toys, and the operators, Hamas's people, are turning huge profits.
The "tunnel economy" is so successful, Hamas was responsible for 70% of new jobs since the blockade was imposed. The organization's annual budget went from $40M in 2006 to $500M in 2010.