Egypt is to the south of the Gaza Strip. It too blockades it. It's a joint venture between Muslim Egypt and Jewish/Muslim Israel (Yes because despite rhetoric about apartheid, Israeli Arabs are equals in Israeli society. They have been members of the Knesset. They have bene a part of the governing coalition. Arab Israelis make up half the medical professionals in the country. They have room to advance and be equals). So the issue is not about collective punishment as much as it is about Hamas. Think about all the rockets sent against Israel. Think about the billions in aid given. If all that had not been spent on military weapons to destroy Israel, Gaza would be another Singapore now.