Gaza had independence 2005-2023, and what did they do with it after Israel withdrew ground forces in 2005 in a gesture of goodwill from Israel to Gaza? Rather than reciprocate the goodwill, Hamas ramped up attacks, so Israel justifiably ramped up the blockade in response. But just because you're blockaded doesn't mean that you're not independent: You're still just as independent as every landlocked country, from Andorra to Armenia to Afghanistan. So, you, Joe Mayall, are a liar. Gaza was independent for almost 2 decades.