The catastrophic situation today must be understood within the context of Israel’s pre-October 7 policies, including vis-à-vis Palestinians’ freedom of movement between Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank. Over more than half a century, the violence of Israel’s ongoing occupation, repeated military assaults, and “separation policy” between Gaza and the West Bank have created a broken and bleeding stretch of land. These policies have manufactured and maintained a humanitarian disaster; separated Palestinians in Gaza from those in Israel and the West Bank; and promoted Israel’s illegitimate political and demographic objectives.