Haaretz, Apr. 27, 2016

If not for the tunnels and rockets, the Gaza Strip would never be mentioned in the Israeli media. From our perspective it nearly fell into the sea, together with its almost two million residents.

[...] A 25-year-old blockade has reduced, shrunk and buried the plans, initiatives and dreams of Gazans. Something as basic as going abroad for continuing medical education, or taking part in a joyful activity like a children’s choir festival in the West Bank city of Bir Zeit is like going to the moon. Gazans have no aspirations and make no plans, in order not to be disappointed. Is it any wonder, then, that many seek to emigrate and many already have? Or that some are happy, or are forced, to put their skills in the service of the only possible collective act of defiance — the tunnels?