The book thoroughly examines how Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, rather than bringing freedom, instituted a new form of control. Levy demonstrates how the removal of settlements and military posts was replaced by a sophisticated system of external domination through blockades, surveillance, and economic restrictions, effectively turning Gaza into a controlled territory without direct occupation.

Through detailed accounts of individual Palestinians and families, Levy illustrates how Israel's policies go beyond military strategy to implement a systematic dehumanization of Gaza's population. The book shows how everyday actions like restricting movement, limiting essential supplies, and conducting 'targeted' operations contribute to a larger strategy of collective punishment.

Levy presents a scathing critique of how global powers have enabled Gaza's crisis through their silence and inaction. He demonstrates how international bodies and Western nations have failed to hold Israel accountable, instead accepting narratives that justify the continued persecution of Gaza's civilian population.