Siege to Genocide: Gaza’s history from 2005–2025 | Muhammad Shehada | UNAPOLOGETIC

Muhammad Shahada grew up in Gaza during two decades of blockade and repeated wars. His father died after being denied medical treatment outside the Strip — one of countless lives lost to Israel’s permit system. Now a journalist and analyst, Shahada joins UNAPOLOGETIC to trace Gaza’s story from 2005 to 2025 — years that saw the removal of Israeli settlers, the imposition of siege, and the shift from Apache helicopters to F-16 bombardments, culminating in genocide. The conversation covers Hamas’s attempt to reach a political settlement that was rejected by Israel after its election victory, Israel’s role in fuelling a Palestinian civil war, daily life under siege, and the repeated wars waged under Israel's “mowing the lawn” doctrine. Shahada also reflects on the short period of relief when Egypt opened the Rafah crossing under President Morsi, the tunnelling economy and its risks, Israel’s policy of maiming protesters during the Great March of Return, the events of 7 October, and Israel’s ongoing 22-month assault on Gaza — alongside the silence and complicity of world leaders, media and policymakers. Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:12 Childhood at checkpoints 2:14 Father’s illness, no permits 8:32 Gaza becomes a cage 12:45 Rooftops and football 16:14 Ramadan in blackout nights 21:10 First airstrike remembered 25:33 Bread during shortages 31:56 Sister hides from bombs 39:12 Gaza’s soundscape 41:15 Hamas olive branch 43:05 Civil war and siege 49:42 From Apaches to jets 52:18 Rafah gates open 53:45 Tunnels and celebrations 54:44 Storytelling as survival 59:12 Freedom beyond checkpoints 1:00:22 Great March of Return 1:04:15 “Mowing the lawn” wars 1:09:12 Gaza’s wars recapped 1:20:42 Dream of return 1:24:14 Keys and identity 1:29:50 Journalism as resistance 1:32:11 Complicity 1:33:00 Media bias and narratives 1:45:00 Regional politics and siege 1:59:00 Youth, hope and memory 2:12:00 Closing reflections Catch previous episodes of MEE LIVE, our biweekly news programme exploring the stories shaping our world through breaking coverage, expert analysis, and hard-hitting interviews. Originally airing Tuesdays & Thursdays at 12pm ET | 5pm BST Got a story tip or question? Reach us at MEELive@middleeasteye.org Support stories that matter. Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @middleeasteye   Subscribe to our channel: http://ow.ly/AVlW30n1OWH Subscribe to MEE Telegram channel to stay up to date: https://t.me/MiddleEastEye_TG Middle East Eye Website: https://middleeasteye.net Follow us on TikTok:   / middleeasteye   Follow us on Instagram:   / middleeasteye   Like us on Facebook:   / middleeasteye   Follow us on Twitter:   / middleeasteye