the stifling blockade

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Note added at 12 mins (2014-01-21 23:25:57 GMT)
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Israel imposed a stifling blockade on the Gaza Strip after the success of the Islamic Resistance Movement in the 2006 Palestinian elections; its grip was tightened in the summer of 2007.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/articles/middle-east/7830-...

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Note added at 12 mins (2014-01-21 23:26:17 GMT)
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Israel said Wednesday it would lift its stifling blockade of Lebanon within a day, marking a crucial breakthrough in international efforts to rebuild southern Lebanon from the war between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-to-lift-lebanon-blockade/

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Note added at 13 mins (2014-01-21 23:26:53 GMT)
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Rescue Gaza from a Stifling Blockade
http://www.realclearworld.com/2013/02/16/rescue_gaza_from_a_...

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Note added at 14 mins (2014-01-21 23:27:30 GMT)
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Israeli cabinet fails to decide on easing stifling blockade
http://gulfnews.com/news/region/palestinian-territories/isra...

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Note added at 40 mins (2014-01-21 23:54:00 GMT)
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Because I do not have a larger context, I can guess that the word 'حصار' means the surrounding of an area by soldiers or ships to stop people or supplies entering or leaving.
http://im39.gulfup.com/dZUZG.jpg