Last week, Hamas announced plans to develop a sea route to break Israel’s coastal blockade, signalling a new strategy in an emerging regional struggle over maritime power in the Mediterranean. During the event, a foundation stone was laid for the new waterway and a mural inscribed with ‘our gas is our right’ was unveiled. The Gaza Marine gas field, located 36 kilometres off the coast of Gaza, was discovered in 2000 but remains inaccessible due to Israeli restrictions. The mural also echoed a threat made earlier in July by Hezbollah that it would engage in war with Israel if it proceeded with e…