Gaza Egypt border wall
The phrase Gaza is Open Jail was coined in the early 60's against Egyptian occupation in Gaza by Martha Gellhorn, one of the greatest 20th century American journalist, biography. If it's still open jail is because Egypt still close its border with them. The reason is Hamas which is offspring of Egyptian greatest nightmare, Muslim Brotherhood.
The Gaza Strip, wrote Martha Gellhorn, "is not a hell-hole, not a visible disaster. It is worse. It is a jail." (Atlantic Monthly, October 1961).
The View From The Ground by Martha Gellhorn - 2015
Then I remarked that Gaza town was a beehive of activity, with all the UNEF soldiers, Danes, Norwegians, Indians, Canadians, ... It is worse; it is a jail—with a magical long white sand beach, and a breeze, and devoted welfare workers (UNRWA) to look after the prisoners.
Even Saudi Arabian radio, on March 10, 1962, likened Nasser's regime in Gaza to Hitler's regime in occupied territories in World War II. At that time Nasserite Egypt and Saudi Arabia were locked in a war.
Near East Report - Volumes 18-20 - Page 55
Isaiah L. Kenen - 1974 - Snippet view - More editions
The Saudi Arabian radio, on Mar. 10, 1962, likened Nasser's regime in Gaza to Hitler's regime in occupied territories in World War II. "The Gaza is not a hell-hole, not a visible disaster. It is worse. It is a jail," wrote Martha Gellhorn after a visit.