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'''Gaza War''' may refer to:
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{{pp-pc1}}
  
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*[[Gaza War (2008–09)]] or Operation Cast Lead
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{{Infobox military conflict
  
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*[[Gaza War (2012)]] or Operation Pillar of Defense
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|conflict=Gaza War
  
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*[[Gaza War (2014)]] or Operation Protective Edge
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|partof=the [[Gaza–Israel conflict]] and the [[Iran-Israel proxy conflict]]
  
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|image=[[File:Gaza Strip map2.svg|300px]]
  
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|caption=Map of Gaza
  
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|date=December 27, 2008 – January 18, 2009<br>({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=12|day1=27|year1=2008|month2=01|day2=18|year2=2009}})
  
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|place=Gaza Strip and [[South District (Israel)|Southern Israel]]
  
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|result=Israeli military victory<ref name='Aviation Week 2009-05-11'/><ref name="jpost.com"/><ref name="nytimes.com"/>
  
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* Israel declared [[unilateral]] ceasefire, 12 hours later Hamas announced a [[Tahdiya|one-week ceasefire]].<ref name="xinhua one week" /><ref name="cbc.ca one week" />
  
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* [[Effects of the Gaza War#Gaza humanitarian crisis|Humanitarian crisis]] and deterioration of infrastructure and basic services in Gaza.<ref name="ocha_report_1_2">{{Cite news
  
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| title = Gaza Humanitarian Situation Report – January 2, 2009 as of 14:30
  
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| date = 2009-01-02
  
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| publisher = UN [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
  
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| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_situation_report_2009_01_02_english.pdf
  
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| accessdate = 2009-01-02
  
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| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5dYZRlFLB
  
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| archivedate = 2009-01-02
  
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}}</ref>
  
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* Number of [[List of Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel, 2009|rockets]] being fired from Gaza reduced.
  
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* [[Gaza War#Post-war military assessment|See results]]
  
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|combatant1= {{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Israel]] ([[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]], [[Shin Bet|ISA]])
 
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|combatant2= {{flag|Gaza Strip}}
  
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* [[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22 px]] [[Hamas]]
  
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* [[PFLP]]
  
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* [[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|22 px]] [[Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine|PIJ]]
  
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* (Palestinian paramilitary forces:<br>[[Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades|Izz ad-Din al-Qassam]]<br>[[Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades|Al-Aqsa Martyrs']]<br>[[Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades|Abu Ali Mustapha]]<br>[[Al-Quds Brigades|Quds Brigades]]<br>[[Popular Resistance Committees|Popular Resistance Councils]])<ref name=Bauer0123/>
  
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|commander1=
  
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{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Ehud Olmert]]<br /><small>[[Prime Minister of Israel|Prime Minister]]</small><br />
  
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{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Ehud Barak]]<br /><small>[[Defense Minister of Israel|Minister of Defense]]</small><br />
  
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{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Gabi Ashkenazi]]<br /><small>[[Chief of General Staff (Israel)|Chief of General Staff]]</small><br />
  
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{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Yoav Galant]]<br /><small>[[Southern Command (Israel)|Southern Command]]</small><br />
  
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{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Ido Nehoshtan]]<br /><small>[[Israeli Air Force|Air Force]]</small><br />
  
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{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Eli Marom]]<br /><small>[[Israeli Navy|Navy]]</small><br />
  
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{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Eyal Eisenberg]]<br /><small>[[Gaza Division]]</small><br />
  
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{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Yuval Diskin]]<br /><small>[[Shin Bet|Internal Security Service]]</small>
  
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|commander2=
  
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[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Khaled Mashal]]<ref name="Hamas Leader Khaled Mashaal">{{Cite news|last=Altman |first=Alex |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1869481,00.html |title=Hamas Leader Khaled Mashaal |publisher=Time |date=2009-01-04 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref><br />
  
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[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Ismail Haniyeh]]<br />
  
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[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Said Seyam]]{{KIA|alt=yes}}<br />
  
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[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Mohammed Deif]]<br />
  
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[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Abu Zakaria al-Jamal]]{{KIA|alt=yes}}<br />
  
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[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Ahmed Jabari]]<br />
  
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[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Tawfik Jaber]]{{KIA|alt=yes}}<ref name="Israel bombs Gaza for seventh day after killing Hamas leader">{{Cite news|last=Butcher |first=Tim |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/4071272/Israel-bombs-Gaza-for-seventh-day-after-killing-Hamas-leader.html |title=Israel bombs Gaza for seventh day after killing Hamas leader |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=2009-01-02 |accessdate=2010-06-05|location=London}}</ref><br />[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Osama Mazini]]<br />
  
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[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Nizar Rayan]]{{KIA|alt=yes}}<ref name="Israel bombs Gaza for seventh day after killing Hamas leader"/><br />
  
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[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Mahmoud al-Zahar]]<br />
  
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[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|22 px]] [[Ramadan Abdullah Mohammad Shallah|Ramadan Shallah]]
  
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|strength1= <small>IDF: 4,000<ref name="Israel vows no let-up over Gaza">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7811301.stm|title=Israel vows no let-up over Gaza|date=2009-01-05|publisher=BBC|accessdate=4 May 2010}}</ref>–20,000<ref>{{Cite news|title=Israeli troops enter Gaza|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/israeli-troops-enter-gaza/2009/01/04/1231003816897.html|author=Jason Koutsoukis|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2009-01-04}}</ref> deployed in ground invasion and tens of thousands of reservists mobilized<ref>{{Cite news|title=Israel reinforces army before ‘third phase’ of war in Gaza|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5497710.ece|date=2009-01-12|author=Fletcher, Martin|work=The Times|accessdate=2010-05-17|location=London}}</ref> (176,000 total active personnel)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inss.org.il/upload/%28FILE%291245235226.pdf |title=Institute for National Security Studies |format=PDF |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref>
  
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* [[F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16I Sufa|F-16I ''Sufa'']] aircraft<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>
  
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* [[AH-64 Apache#Israel|AH-64 ''Saraph'']] and [[AH-1 Cobra#Israel|AH-1F ''Tzefa'']] attack helicopters<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>
  
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* [[Elbit Hermes 450]], [[Heron TP]] [[Unmanned aerial vehicles]]<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>
  
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* 130–140 [[Merkava]] tanks<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2010/04/06/Israel-unveils-defense-shield-for-Merkavas/UPI-97231270579381/|title=Israel unveils defense shield for Merkavas|date=April 6, 2010|agency=United Press International|accessdate=April 7, 2010}}</ref>
  
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* [[M113 armored personnel carrier|Nagmash]], [[IDF Achzarit|Achzarit]], [[IDF Puma|Puma]], [[Namer]], and other armored personnel carriers<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>
  
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* 100 armored [[IDF Caterpillar D9|CAT D9]] and other armored bulldozers<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/><ref name="Aviation Week 2009-02-23"/>
  
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* [[Super Dvora Mk III|Super Dvora patrol boats]],<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/> and [[Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boat]]s
  
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* [[Soltam M-71]], [[M109 howitzer|M109]] howitzers, and [[mortar (weapon)|mortars]]<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>
  
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* [[B-300]], [[MATADOR (weapon)|Matador]], and [[Spike (missile)|Spike]], anti-tank missiles<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>
  
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* [[VIPeR|Viper]] [[military robot]]s<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>
  
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* [[IMI Tavor TAR-21|Tavor]] and [[M-16 rifle|M-16]] [[assault rifle]]s, light and heavy [[machine gun]]s, and semi-automatic [[sniper rifle]]s<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>|strength2= <small>Hamas (Izzedine Al-Qassam Brigades and paramilitary police): 20,000 (est. total)<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/news/israeli-think-tank-hamas-has-20-000-armed-men-in-gaza-strip-1.243671 Israeli think tank: Hamas has 20,000 armed men in Gaza Strip], Associated Press and Haaretz Service 4 October 2008</ref><ref name="t2009-01-05">{{Cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/4127074/Hamas-fighters-now-a-well-organised-force.html|title=Hamas fighters now a well-organised force|last=Butcher|first=Tim|date=2009-01-05|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=3 May 2010|location=London}}</ref><br><small>Other Palestinian paramilitary forces: 10,000<ref>{{cite web|author=Haidar Eid |url=http://www.socialistworker.org/2009/01/02/israels-war-of-terror |title=Israel's war of terror against Gaza |publisher=SocialistWorker.org |date=2009-01-02 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref>
  
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* [[BM-21 Grad]] and [[Qassam rocket|Qassam]] rockets<ref name="Haaretz 2009-01-15"/>
  
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* [[9M14 Malyutka|AT-3 Sagger]], [[Konkurs|AT-5 Spandrel]], and [[Yasin (RPG)|Yasin]] Anti-tank missiles<ref name="Haaretz 2009-01-15"/><ref>[http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/hamas_080408.pdf Hamas Military buildup in the Gaza Strip]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}, IICC 8 April 2008, p. 35</ref><ref>[http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/hamas_080408.pdf Hamas Military buildup in the Gaza Strip]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}, IICC 8 April 2008, p. 34</ref>
  
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* [[AK-47]] [[assault rifle]]s
  
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* [[RPK|RPK light machineguns]]
  
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* [[Recoilless gun]]s<ref name="terrorism-info.org.il">[http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/hamas_080408.pdf Hamas Military buildup in the Gaza Strip]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}, IICC 8 April 2008, p. 39</ref>
  
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* Heavy machine guns<ref name="terrorism-info.org.il"/>
  
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* Mortars of various calibres<ref name="Haaretz 2009-01-15"/>
  
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* [[Improvised explosive device]]s and other booby traps<ref name="Aviation Week 2009-02-23"/><ref name="Belfast Telegraph 2010-02-04"/>
  
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* Anti aircraft missiles<ref name=haaretz-Hamas-fired-missiles>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/sources-hamas-fired-anti-aircraft-missiles-at-iaf-planes-1.267905 |title=Sources: Hamas fired anti-aircraft missiles at IAF planes|publisher=Haaretz |author=Amos Harel |date=11 January 2009 |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref> including [[SA-7]]s<ref name="terrorism-info.org.il"/>
  
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* Suicide bombers<ref name="Haaretz 2009-01-15"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Ilan |first=Shahar |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/suicide-bombers-wore-idf-uniforms-says-army-chief-1.268091 |title=Suicide bombers wore IDF uniforms, says army chief |newspaper=Haaretz |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref>
  
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|casualties1='''Total killed''': 13<br />Soldiers: 10 <small>([[friendly fire]]: 4)<ref name=latimes2009jan13>[http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jan/13/world/fg-gaza13 Israeli troops step up attacks on Hamas outside Gaza City]. By Sebastian Rotella and Rushdi abu Alouf. January 13, 2009. ''Los Angeles Times''.</ref></small><br />Civilians: 3<br />
  
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'''Total wounded''': 518<br />Soldiers: 336<ref name=ocha2009jan26>[http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_01_26_english.pdf Field update on Gaza from the Humanitarian Coordinator. 24–26 January 2009]. OCHA oPt ([[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]] – occupied Palestinian territory). [http://www.ochaopt.org/ oachopt.org].</ref><br />Civilians: 182<ref name=ocha2009jan26/>
  
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|casualties2='''Total killed''': 1,417 <small>([[PCHR]]),<ref name="PCHRCASFIG">{{cite press release
  
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|title = Confirmed figures reveal the true extent of the destruction inflicted upon the Gaza Strip; Israel’s offensive resulted in 1,417 dead, including 926 civilians, 255 police officers, and 236 fighters
  
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|publisher = Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
  
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|date = 12 March 2009
  
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|url = http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2008/36-2009.html
  
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|accessdate = 19 March 2009
  
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|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090612193512/http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2008/36-2009.html |archivedate=12 June 2009}}</ref></small> 1,166 <small>([[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]])<ref name="idf_updated_death_toll" /></small><br />Militants and police officers:<br />491'''*''' <small>([[PCHR]]),<ref name="PCHRCASFIG" /></small><!--Per discussion--> 709 <small>([[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]])<ref name="idf_updated_death_toll" /></small><br />600–700 <small>([[Hamas]])<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/hamas-admits-600-700-of-its-men-were-killed-in-cast-lead-1.323776 "Hamas admits 600–700 of its men were killed in Cast Lead"] (November 9, 2010). ''Haaretz''. Retrieved March 2, 2011</ref> </small><br />Civilians: 926 <small>([[PCHR]]),<ref name="PCHRCASFIG" /></small> 295 <small>([[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]])<ref name="idf_updated_death_toll">{{cite news |last=Lappin |first=Yaakov |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=137286 |title=IDF releases Cast Lead casualty numbers |work=The Jerusalem Post|date=March 26, 2009 |accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref></small>
  
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'''Total wounded''': 5,303 <small>([[PCHR]])<ref name="PCHRCASFIG" /></small>
  
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'''Total captured''': 120<small> ([[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]])</small>
  
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|casualties3=One [[Egyptian army|Egyptian]] border guard officer killed and three wounded, and two children wounded<!--before blaming Hamas or Palestinians see Talk:2008–2009_Israel–Gaza_conflict#Infobox_blaming-->.<!--Source for one guard dead, one wounded--><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=605368&sid=126|title=קצין מצרי נהרג מירי אנשי חמאס סמוך למעבר רפיח|last=סוכנויות הידיעות|publisher=nana10.co.il|language=Hebrew|accessdate=2009-01-01}}</ref><!--Source for two guards, kids wounded--><ref name="egyptian1">{{Cite news|title=Two Egyptian Children, Police Injured in Israeli Air Strike Near Gaza Border|url=http://voanews.com/english/2009-01-11-voa20.cfm|date=2009-01-11}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref><br />Over 50,800 Gaza residents displaced.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7838618.stm "Gaza 'looks like earthquake zone'"]. BBC. 19 January 2009</ref>
  
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Over 4,000 homes destroyed; around $2bn worth of damage to Gaza<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7845428.stm |title=Gaza: Humanitarian situation |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-01-30 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>
  
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|notes='''*'''255 police officers were killed ([[PCHR]]).<ref name="PCHRCASFIG" />}}
  
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<!--Would editors please NOT edit the lead without first getting consensus for any change at the talk page. Any changes made first without discussion maybe reverted and taken to the talk page. Please also remember that this article is under the 1 revert rule. Thank you. -->
  
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{{Campaignbox Gaza–Israel conflict}}
  
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The '''Gaza War''', also known as '''Operation Cast Lead''' ({{rtl-lang|he|מבצע עופרת יצוקה}}) and '''Gaza Massacre''' ({{rtl-lang|ar|مجزرة غزة}})<ref>{{citation|title=Gaza: Morality, Law & Politics|editor-last=Gaita|editor-first=Raimond|editor-link=Raimond Gaita|publisher=UWA Publishing|year=2010|page=[http://books.google.com/?id=bQviYWQZGCUC&pg=PA1 1]}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Just war on terror?: A Christian and Muslim response |last1=Fisher |first1=David|last2=Wicker |first2=Brian |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |year=2010 |page=[http://books.google.com/?id=Rxtr6qSB2zcC&pg=PA164 164]}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Bombs and ballots: governance by Islamist terrorist and guerrilla groups |last=Wiegand |first=Krista |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |year=2010 |page=[http://books.google.com/?id=WlDkiLkscSQC&pg=PA131 131]}}</ref> or the '''Battle of al-Furqan [the criterion]''' ({{rtl-lang|ar|معركة الفرقان}})<ref name="Abdul-Hameed al-Kayyali 2009">[http://www.alzaytouna.net/en/publications/books/151173-studies-on-the-israeli-aggression-on-gaza-strip-cast-lead-operation-al-furqan-battle.html ... the Cast Lead Operation or al-Furqan Battle as named by Israel and Hamas respectively ...] Secondary source, book ''Studies on the Israeli Aggression on Gaza Strip: Cast Lead Operation / Al-Furqan Battle'' by Abdul-Hameed al-Kayyali Published in: 2009</ref><ref name="Maximilian Felsch, 2011">{{cite book|author=Maximilian Felsch|title=Die Hamas: eine pragmatische soziale Bewegung?: Eine transnationale empirische Fallanalyse der Hamas in den besetzten Gebieten, in Jordanien, im Libanon und in Syrien|url=http://books.google.com/?id=etqL8p6pwC8C&pg=PA106|accessdate=24 December 2011|date=November 2011|publisher=Waxmann Verlag|isbn=978-3-8309-2611-5|page=106}}</ref> was a three-week armed conflict in the Gaza Strip between [[Israel]] and [[Palestinian political violence|Palestinian militants]] that [[Timeline of the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict#27 December 2008|began]] on 27 December 2008 and ended on 18 January 2009 in a unilateral ceasefire.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ben-David|first=Alon|publisher=Jane's Defence Weekly|title=Israeli offensive seeks 'new security reality' in Gaza|date=January 9, 2009|url=http://www.janes.com/news/defence/triservice/jdw/jdw090109_1_n.shtml|accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref>
  
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Israel's stated goal was to stop [[Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel|rocket fire]] into Israel<ref>[http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE50423320090105 TIMELINE – Israeli-Hamas violence since truce ended], Reuters 05-01-2009</ref> and weapons smuggling into the Gaza strip.<ref>Bright, Arthur. [http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1226/p99s01-duts.html Israel set to launch ‘limited operation’ in Gaza]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}, The Christian Science Monitor, December 26, 2008.</ref><ref name="guardian.co.uk">{{Cite news|author=Rory McCarthy|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/16/israel-rejects-war-crimes-gaza |title=Israel rejects war crimes findings of UN Gaza inquiry|newspaper=The Guardian |date= 2009-09-16|accessdate=2010-05-08|location=London}}</ref> After the beginning of the conflict, Palestinian groups continued firing rockets in response to what they characterized as "massacres".<ref name=bbc1309/> Israeli forces attacked police stations, military targets including weapons caches and suspected rocket firing teams,<ref name="Defense">{{cite news |title=Massive airstrike in Gaza opens Operation cast Lead |url=http://defense-update.com/newscast/1208/analysis/271208_israel_operation_leadcast.html#more |author=David Eshel |work=Defense Update}}</ref> as well as political and administrative institutions in the opening assault, striking in the densely populated cities of Gaza, [[Khan Yunis]] and [[Rafah]].<ref name=UNFFMGCReport_pdf>{{cite news|url=http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2009/09/15/UNFFMGCReport.pdf|title=Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict|publisher=United Nations Human Rights Council|accessdate=15 September 2009|location=London}}</ref><!--Would editors please NOT edit the lede without first getting consensus for any change at the talk page. Any changes made first without discussion maybe reverted and taken to the talk page. Please also remember that this article is under the 1 revert rule. Thank you. -->
  
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An Israeli ground invasion began on January 3. Infantry commanders were given an unprecedented level of access to coordinate with air, naval, artillery, intelligence, and combat engineering units during this second phase. Various new technologies and hardware were also introduced. On January 5, the IDF began operating in the densely populated urban centers of Gaza. During the last week of the offensive (from 12 January), Israel mostly hit targets it had damaged before and struck Palestinian rocket-launching units.<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/> Hamas intensified its rocket and mortar attacks against civilian targets in southern Israel, reaching the major cities of Beersheba and [[Ashdod]] for the first time during the conflict.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3645485,00.html Rockets land east of Ashdod] ''Ynetnews'', December 28, 2008; [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3647569,00.html Rockets reach Beersheba, cause damage], ''Ynetnews'', December 30, 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lazaroff |first=Tovah |date=30 September 2009 |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=156239 |title=Ashkelon rocket victim livid report ignored her plight |publisher=''The Jerusalem Post'' |accessdate=2011-06-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129467# |title=Another Miracle: Rocket Hits Empty Synagogue|publisher=Israel National News |accessdate=2010-05-08}}</ref> Israeli politicians ultimately decided against striking deeper within Gaza amid concerns of higher casualties on both sides and rising international criticism. The conflict ended on January 18, when Israel first declared a [[unilateral]] ceasefire, followed by Hamas' announcing a [[Tahdiya|one-week ceasefire]] twelve hours later.<ref name="xinhua one week">{{Cite news|title=Hamas leader in Syria announce one-week ceasefire in Gaza |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/18/content_10679186.htm |publisher=Xinhua |date=2009-01-18 |accessdate=2009-08-03}}</ref><ref name="cbc.ca one week">{{Cite news|title=Hamas agrees to 1-week ceasefire |url=http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/01/18/gaza.html |publisher=CBC News |date=2009-01-18 |accessdate=2009-08-03}}</ref> Israel completed its withdrawal on January 21.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/18/israel.gaza/index.html Hamas, Israel set independent cease-fires], CNN International; [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7841902.stm Last Israeli troops 'leave Gaza'], BBC News, January 21, 2009.</ref>
  
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<!--Would editors please NOT edit the lede without first getting consensus for any change at the talk page. Any changes made first without discussion maybe reverted and taken to the talk page. Please also remember that this article is under the 1 revert rule. Thank you. -->
  
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The conflict resulted in between 1,166 and 1,417 Palestinian and 13 Israeli deaths (4 from friendly fire).<ref>Al-Mughrabi, Nidal. [http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre5053r7-us-palestinians-israel/ Israel tightens grip on urban parts of Gaza]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref> According to the [[Shin Bet]], after the conflict, there was a decrease in [[List of Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel|Palestinian rocket attacks]].<ref name="Shabak">[[Shin Bet|Israeli Security Agency]] [http://www.shabak.gov.il/SiteCollectionImages/english/TerrorInfo/reports/2010summary2-en.pdf 2010 Annual Summary – Data and Trends in Terrorism]</ref> In September 2009, a [[United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict|UN special mission]], headed by the South African Justice [[Richard Goldstone]], produced a controversial [[United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict#Report|report]] accusing both Palestinian militants and the IDF of [[war crime]]s and possible crimes against humanity, and recommended bringing those responsible to justice.<ref name=BBCSept15a>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8257301.stm UN condemns 'war crimes' in Gaza], BBC News, September 15, 2009.</ref> In January 2010, the Israeli government released a response criticizing the Goldstone Report and disputing its findings.<ref name=Mfa.gov.ila>[http://www.mfa.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/8E841A98-1755-413D-A1D2-8B30F64022BE/0/GazaOperationInvestigationsUpdate.pdf Gaza Operation Investigation: An Update]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}, MFA, January 2010.</ref> In 2011, Goldstone wrote that he no longer believed that Israel intentionally targeted civilians in Gaza.<ref>{{cite news|last=Goldstone|first=Richard|title=Reconsidering the Goldstone Report on Israel and War Crimes|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/reconsidering-the-goldstone-report-on-israel-and-war-crimes/2011/04/01/AFg111JC_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|accessdate=1 April 2011|date=2011-04-01}}</ref> The other authors of the report, [[Hina Jilani]], [[Christine Chinkin]] and [[Desmond Travers]], rejected Goldstone's re-assessment.<ref name="afp1404"/><ref name="g2011-04-14"/> However, the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] did not agree and ordered Israel to conduct various repairs of the damages. On September 21, 2012, the United Nations Human Rights Council concluded that 75% of civilian homes destroyed in the attack were not rebuilt.<ref>[http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/37F43DF70A64244A85257A8300515BE3 A/HRC/21/33 of 21 September 2012<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
  
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==Background==
  
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{{Main|Israeli-Palestinian conflict|Gaza–Israel conflict|Rocket and mortar attacks on southern Israel|Blockade of the Gaza Strip}}
  
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:''See also: [[Timeline of the Gaza War]], [[List of rocket and mortar attacks in Israel in 2008]] and [[List of rocket and mortar attacks in Israel in 2009 following the Gaza War|in 2009 following the Gaza War]]''
  
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The Gaza Strip is a coastal strip of land on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea bordering Egypt and Israel. Israel controls Gaza's airspace and territorial waters and restricts the movement of people or goods in or out of Gaza.<ref name="AI_briefing">{{cite web|url=http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE15/007/2009/en/4c407b40-e64c-11dd-9917-ed717fa5078d/mde150072009en.html|title=Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territories: The conflict in Gaza: A briefing on applicable law, investigations and accountability|date=2009-01-19|publisher=Amnesty International|accessdate=2009-06-05}}</ref><ref name="isrlpa13698"/> The UN, Human Rights Watch and many other international bodies and NGOs consider Israel to be the occupying power.<ref name="AI_briefing"/><ref name="isrlpa13698">[http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/07/06/isrlpa13698.htm "Human Rights Council Special Session on the Occupied Palestinian Territories"] July 6, 2006; Human Rights Watch considers Gaza still occupied.</ref><ref name="cnn2009-01-06">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/06/israel.gaza.occupation.question/index.html|title=Is Gaza 'occupied' territory?|last=Levs|first=Josh|date=2009-01-06|publisher=CNN|accessdate=2009-05-30}}</ref> Israel maintains that its occupation of Gaza ended following the completion of its [[Israel's unilateral disengagement plan|unilateral disengagement plan]] in 2005.<ref name="is Gaza still occupied">{{cite web | title=Legal Acrobatics: The Palestinian Claim that Gaza is Still "Occupied" Even After Israel Withdraws| url=http://www.jcpa.org/brief/brief005-3.htm| publisher=JCPA| date=August 26, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sabel |first=Robbie |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=91645 | date=February 10, 2008 |title=Analysis: Is Gaza blockade a legitimate tool of war? |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>
  
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Following [[Hamas]]'s electoral victory in the [[Palestinian legislative election, 2006|January 2006 legislative elections]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Rose |first=David |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/04/gaza200804?printable=true&currentPage=all |title=The Gaza Bombshell|publisher=Vanity Fair |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> and formation of the Hamas-led PA government on March. The [[Quartet on the Middle East|Quartet]](United States, Russia, United Nations, and European Union) conditioned future foreign assistance to the PA on the future government's commitment to nonviolence, recognition of the state of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements. Hamas has resisted such changes, leading to Quartet suspension of its foreign assistance program and [[Israel]] imposing [[2006–2007 economic sanctions against the Palestinian National Authority|economic sanctions]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2006-02-18 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/18/international/middleeast/18mideast.html |title=Hamas Leader Faults Israeli Sanction Plan |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Steven |last=Erlanger |accessdate=April 22, 2010}}</ref><ref name="U.S. Foreign Aid to the Palestinians">[http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/68794.pdf FPC.state.gov]</ref>
  
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After the [[Battle of Gaza (2007)|military takeover]] of Gaza by Hamas and overthrowing Fatah, in June 2007. [[President of the Palestinian National Authority]] [[Mahmoud Abbas]] then dismissed the Hamas-led government and formed a government in the West Bank, bypassing the Hamas-dominated parliament.<ref name="Gaza journalists caught up in Hamas-Fatah legitimacy argument">{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-02/09/c_13170007.htm |title=Gaza journalists caught up in Hamas-Fatah legitimacy argument |publisher=Xinhua|accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Israel imposed a ground, air, and maritime [[Blockade of the Gaza Strip|blockade]], and announced it would allow only humanitarian supplies into the Strip.<ref name="BBC7838618">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7545636.stm Gaza under blockade], BBC, June 15, 2009.</ref><ref name="AnthonyHCordesman">[http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/090202_gaza_war.pdf Anthony H. Cordesman, ‘The "Gaza War": A Strategic Analysis’, Center for Strategic & International Studies, February 2009] p. 7</ref> Palestinian groups were partially able to bypass the blockade through tunnels, some of which are said to have been used for weapons smuggling.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5535747.ece Kevin Dowling, 'Strikes on Gaza continue ahead of imminent ceasefire,' ''The Times'' 17/01/2009 p. 2]</ref>
  
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Between 2005 and 2007, Palestinian groups in Gaza fired about 2,700 locally made Qassam rockets into Israel, killing four Israeli civilians and injuring 75 others. During the same period, Israel fired more than 14,600 155&nbsp;mm artillery shells into the Gaza Strip, killing 59 Palestinians and injuring 270.
  
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According to the [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]], between 2005 and 2008, 116 Israelis, including civilians and Israeli security forces, which includes [[Israeli police]], [[Israeli Border Police]] and members of the armed services, were killed in both Israel and the Palestinian Territories in "direct conflict related incidents" and 1,509 were injured.<ref name="ocha_background_dead">{{cite web|url=http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/POC_Monthly_Tables_October_2008.pdf|title=POC Monthly Tables October_2008|date=October 2008|publisher=[[OCHA|OCHA-oPt]]|accessdate=2009-02-25}}</ref> During this time, 1,735 Palestinians, including civilians and militants from various groups, were killed and 8,308 wounded in "direct conflict related incidents".<ref name="ocha_background_dead" />
  
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===2008 six-month lull===
  
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{{Main|2008 Israel–Hamas ceasefire}}
  
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[[File:Israelis killed by Palestinians in Israel and Palestinians killed by Israelis in Gaza - 2008 prior to Gaza War.png|thumb|Israelis killed by Palestinians in Israel (<span style="color:blue;">blue</span>) and Palestinians killed by Israelis in Gaza (<span style="color:red;">red</span>) during January–December 2008 according to [[B'Tselem]]]]
  
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[[File:Rock mort gaza 2008.JPG|thumb|Rocket hits in Israel, January–December 2008<ref name="rockmort">[http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/ipc_e007.pdf Summary of Rocket Fire and Mortar Shelling in 2008]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}. (pdf) [[Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center]]. Retrieved January 14, 2009. pp. 5–7.'' Drop in rocket fire calculated from data provided in report.''</ref>]]
  
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On June 19, 2008, an Egyptian-brokered six-month "lull" or [[2008 Israel–Hamas ceasefire|pause in hostilities between Israel and Hamas]] went into effect.<ref name=kershner>{{Cite news|title=Rockets hit Israel, breaking Hamas truce|newspaper=International Herald Tribune|author=Isabel Kershner|date=2008-06-25|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/25/africa/25mideast.php}}</ref> The agreement had no mutually agreed text or enforcement mechanism and eventually collapsed.<ref name=nyt-truce/>
  
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The agreement required Hamas to end rocket and mortar attacks on [[Israel]] and to enforce the lull throughout Gaza. In addition, Israel insisted that the agreement would include an end to Hamas' military buildup in Gaza and movement toward the release of Corporal Shalit.<ref name="Israel Agrees to Truce with Hamas on Gaza">{{Cite news |title=Israel Agrees to Truce with Hamas on Gaza |url= http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/world/middleeast/18mideast.html|newspaper=The New York Times | date=2008-06-18 |first=Isabel |last=Kershner |accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref> Hamas said all of Gaza's militant groups would abide by the truce.<ref name="Israel confirms Hamas ceasefire deal">[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-confirms-hamas-ceasefire-deal-849414.html Israel confirms Hamas ceasefire deal], Independent, June 18, 2008</ref> Defense Ministry Official Amos Gilad, the Israeli envoy to the talks, stressed that Israel demanded a ceasefire, meaning that even one single rocket fired will be seen as a violation of the agreement. He added that Egypt, on its side, is committed to preventing the smuggling activity from Gaza.<ref name="Top Defense Ministry official: If Shalit is not released, Rafah stays closed">[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3557573,00.html Top Defense Ministry official: If Shalit is not released, Rafah stays closed], YNET, June 16, 2008</ref> Gilad also said that Israel would hold Hamas responsible for attacks from Gaza.<ref name="Israel confirms Hamas ceasefire deal" />
  
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In exchange, Israel agreed to ease the embargo and to halt military raids into Gaza.<ref name="Israel Agrees to Truce with Hamas on Gaza" /><ref name="Israel reopens third Gaza crossing">[http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/06/200862974925963887.html Israel reopens third Gaza crossing] [[Al-jazeera]], June 29, 2008</ref> As part of the deal Egypt had promised to stop the smuggling of arms and weapons from its territory into Gaza.<ref name="Israel confirms Hamas ceasefire deal" />
  
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====Implementation====
  
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The truce started slowly, with the UN recording seven IDF violations of the ceasefire between June 20 and June 26, and three violations by Palestinian groups not affiliated with Hamas between June 23 and 26.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080629010929/http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L26679526.htm|archivedate=June 29, 2008|accessdate=June 26, 2008|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L26679526.htm |title=FACTBOX-Israel, Palestinians trade blame for truce violations}}</ref> Several mortars and Qassam rockets were fired at Israel in late June.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3559761,00.html Qassam lands in Sderot backyard], YNET, June 24, 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3561051,00.html Mortar shells land near southern kibbutz], YNET, June 27, 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3561413,00.html Palestinians fire mortars at Karni crossing], YNET, June 29, 2008</ref>
  
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Israel and Hamas accused each other of bad faith and of violations of the Egyptian-mediated truce. Israel noted that rocket fire from Gaza never stopped entirely and that weapons smuggling was not halted, while Hamas accused Israel of never allowing the major renewal of goods' flow into Gaza and of conducting raids that killed Hamas fighters.<ref name="nyt-truce">{{Cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/world/middleeast/24gaza.html|title=Gaza Truce May Be Revived by Necessity |last=Bronner|first=Ethan |date=2008-12-19|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=2009-02-12}}</ref><ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/05/israelandthepalestinians Gaza truce broken as Israeli raid kills six Hamas gunmen], Guardian, Rory McCarthy, 5 November 2008</ref>
  
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In the month prior to the 4th of November, Israel-Palestinian violence fell to its lowest level since the start of the al-Aqsa intifada in September 2000. Several Israeli violations were reported: In South Gaza on 3 October the IDF fired on two unarmed Palestinians near the border and sent soldiers into the strip to arrest them and detain them in Israel. On the 27 October IDF soldiers fired into Gaza for unknown reasons damaging a school in Khuza and injuring one child. Palestinian fishing boats off the Gaza coast were fired upon on four separate occasions during the month wounding two fisherman. Throughout the month of October 2008 a single Palestinian violation was reported: 1 rocket was fired into Israel causing no damage or injuries. At the end of the month the American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sent a message to Hamas acknowledging their efforts to keep the peace.<ref name=JPSPrelude>{{cite journal|last=Esposit|first=Michele K.|title=Prelude to Operation Cast Lead Israel's Unilateral Disengagement to the Eve of War|journal=Journal of Palestine Studies|year=2009|month=Spring 2009|volume=38|issue=3|pages=139–168|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/jps.2009.XXXVIII.3.139|accessdate=18/03/2013}}</ref>
  
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===Conflict escalates===
  
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{{Further|Violence in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict 2008}}
  
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====November 4 incident====
  
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On November 4, 2008, Israel launched a military incursion into a residential area of Dayr al-Balah in central Gaza. Israel stated its aim was to destroy what it said was a tunnel on the Gaza-Israel border dug by militants to infiltrate into Israel and abduct soldiers, however an Israeli defense official was quoted in the ''Washington Times'' acknowledging that Israel wanted to
  
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"send Hamas a message."<ref name=JPSPrelude/> According to Israel, the raid was not a violation of the ceasefire, but a legitimate step to remove an immediate threat. Israeli infantry, tanks, and bulldozers entered 250 m into the Gaza Strip, the first major incursion since the June truce. A gunfight broke out, in which one Hamas fighter was killed. Hamas responded with a barrage of mortar and rocket fire at Israeli troops. Three Israeli airstrikes on Hamas mortar and rocket positions then killed five Hamas fighters. According to eyewitnesses, another three Hamas fighters were wounded in an Israeli [[unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]] strike over the el-Burejj refugee camp.<ref name="Rockets fired after Gaza clashes" /> Three Israeli soldiers were also wounded during the operation. Hamas said it would take revenge for what it perceived as an act of Israeli aggression that had violated the truce.<ref name="Rockets fired after Gaza clashes">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7709603.stm Rockets fired after Gaza clashes], BBC, November 5, 2009</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/09/israel-rejected-hamas-cea_n_156639.html?show_comment_id=19558888|title=Israel Rejected Hamas Ceasefire Offer In December|last=Porter|first=Gareth |date=2009-01-09|work=Huffington Post|agency=Inter Press Service|accessdate=2009-01-23}}</ref> Hamas launched 35 rockets into southern Israel in what was described by Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum as a "response to Israel's massive breach of the truce, stating that "The Israelis began this tension and they must pay an expensive price. They cannot leave us drowning in blood while they sleep soundly in their beds."<ref name=Guardian20091105>{{Cite news|title=Gaza truce broken as Israeli raid kills six Hamas gunmen|newspaper=The Guardian|author=Rory McCarthy|date=11/5/2008|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/05/israelandthepalestinians|location=London}}</ref><ref name="hider">{{Cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5089940.ece|newspaper=The Times|accessdate=2009-01-08|date=November 6, 2008|title=Six die in Israeli attack over Hamas 'tunnel under border to kidnap soldier'|author=Hider, James|location=London}}</ref>
  
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Intensity of rocket attacks targeted at Israeli cities near Gaza sharply increased during November 2008, approaching pre-truce levels. Clashes also took place along the border, during which 11 Palestinian militants were killed.<ref name="novattacks">{{Cite news|accessdate=2009-01-08|date=November 15, 2008|title=Hamas militants step up rocket attacks|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5158480.ece|work=The Times|location=London}}</ref> In the period between November 4 incident and mid-December, more than 200 Qassam rockets and mortar shells landed in the western Negev region. Israel has frequently shut down the crossings in response to rocket attacks on its towns.<ref name=sofer/>
  
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====December====
  
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On December 13, Israel announced that it favored extending the cease-fire, provided Hamas adhered to the conditions.<ref name=sofer>{{Cite news| last = Sofer|first = Roni|title = Israel in favor of extending Gaza lull|work = Ynetnews|accessdate = December 27, 2008|date = December 13, 2008|url = http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3637877,00.html}}</ref> On December 14, a Hamas delegation in Cairo proposed that Hamas was prepared to stop all rocket attacks against Israel if the Israelis would open up the Gaza border crossings and pledge not to launch attacks in Gaza.<ref>[http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=45350 Israel Rejected Hamas Ceasefire Offer in December], IPS, January 9, 2009</ref> On the same day, Hamas officials said that earlier reports, quoting Khaled Meshaal as saying there would be no renewal of the truce, were inaccurate. A Hamas spokesman said that the lull would not be renewed, "as long as there is no real Israeli commitment to all of its conditions".<ref name="Gaza-Israel truce in jeopardy">[http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/12/2008121414433365449.html Gaza-Israel truce in jeopardy], Al Jazeera, December 15, 2009</ref> A spokesman for the Israeli Prime Minister replied that Israel was committed to the truce but "it's clear there can't be a one-sided ceasefire, ... where rockets are everyday coming from the Gaza Strip targeting Israeli civilians."<ref name="Gaza-Israel truce in jeopardy" />
  
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On December 17, a 40-year-old Palestinian was killed by IDF fire in Northern Gaza.<ref name=harel>{{Cite news| last = Harel|first = Amos|coauthors = Avi Issacharoff, Barak Ravid|title = Hamas declares end to cease-fire, Israeli gov't sources fear violence is unavoidable|work = Haaretz|accessdate = December 27, 2008|date = December 19, 2008|url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/hamas-declares-end-to-cease-fire-israeli-gov-t-sources-fear-violence-is-unavoidable-1.259846}}</ref> The following day, December 18, Hamas declared the end of the cease-fire, a day before the truce officially expired.<ref name="TIMELINE - Israeli-Hamas violence since truce ended">[http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE50423320090105 TIMELINE – Israeli-Hamas violence since truce ended], Reuters, January 5, 2009</ref> More than 20 rockets were fired from Gaza into southern Israel on that day.<ref name="Hamas says it will not renew ceasefire">[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5367679.ece Hamas says it will not renew ceasefire] Times Online Website 2008-12-19</ref>
  
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On December 19, Hamas refused to enter talks to renew the six-month truce and a Hamas spokesman announced that it would not extend the cease-fire.<ref name=harel/><ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5367679.ece Hamas says it will not renew ceasefire], ''The Times'', December 19, 2009</ref> Palestinian sources said that Hamas wanted to renew the truce, but only on improved terms – a complete opening of the border crossings with Israel, the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, a complete ban on Israeli military activity in Gaza and an extension of the truce to the West Bank as well. Israel was not ready to accept these terms.<ref name=harel/> This was confirmed by [[Yuval Diskin]], head of [[Shin Bet]] (Israel's internal security agency), at an [[Cabinet of Israel|Israeli cabinet]] meeting on December 21. Diskin said he thought Hamas was "interested in continuing the truce, but wants to improve its terms ... it wants us to lift the siege of Gaza, stop attacks, and extend the truce to include the West Bank".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7794577.stm|title=Israeli leaders 'to topple Hamas'|date=2008-12-22|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-01-23}}</ref> Three Qassam rockets fired from the northern Gaza Strip landed in Israel.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3641148,00.html Lull ends: 3 Qassams hit western Negev], YNET, December 19, 2008</ref>
  
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On December 22, Israeli Defense Minister [[Ehud Barak]] said that his country will not accept the ongoing rocket fire from the Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Foreign Minister [[Tzipi Livni]], who had supported the truce until recently, suggested that military actions be taken against the Hamas government in Gaza.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/22/content_10543536.htm |title=Israeli defense minister: Ongoing rocket fire unacceptable|work=Xinhua|date=2008-12-22 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref>
  
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On December 23, senior Hamas leader [[Mahmoud al-Zahar]] said that Hamas was willing to renew the cease-fire under the original terms, demanding an Israeli commitment to refrain from any military operation in the Strip and to keep the border crossings open. Speaking with Egyptian newspaper ''al-Ahram'', al-Zahar said that the movement would reassess the situation in Gaza once the 24 hours during which Hamas vowed to halt rocket fire had ended.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3642815,00.html|title=Hamas: Willing to renew truce|last=Nahmias|first=Roee|date=December 23, 2008|publisher=Yedioth Ahronoth|accessdate=2009-03-20}}</ref> Despite the temporary ceasefire declared by the armed Palestinian factions, eight Qassam rockets and eight mortar shells hit the Negev.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3643042,00.html 6 Qassams explode in western Negev], YNET, December 23, 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3643420,00.html 2 Qassams, 8 mortar shells fired at Negev overnight] YNET, December 24, 2008</ref> Also that day, [[Israeli Defense Forces]] killed three Palestinian militants, stating they were planting explosives on the border.<ref name=PHRMG>{{cite web|title=The War on Gaza|url=http://www.phrmg.org/The%20War%20on%20Gaza.pdf|publisher=[[Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group]]|accessdate=27 November 2011}}</ref>
  
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On December 24, an Israeli airstrike hit a group of militants in Gaza Strip. An Israeli military spokesman said that the militants had fired mortars at Israel. Palestinian medics said that one Hamas militant was killed in the strike and two other Palestinians were wounded, including a cameraman from Hamas' television station.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4BM2ZP20081224| title=Flare-up dims truce hopes along Israel-Gaza border|agency= Reuters| date=December 24, 2008| accessdate= 2009-01-03|first = Nidal|last = al-Mughrabi|location = Gaza City, PS}}</ref> On that day, Hamas military wing issued a statement saying that it began an operation code-named "Operation Oil Stain". 87 Palestinian mortar shells, [[Katyusha rocket launcher|Katyusha]] and [[Qassam rocket]]s hit the Negev.<ref name=maan>{{Cite news| url = http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=207221|title = Hamas: 87 shells fired at Israeli targets in 24 hours|date = 2008-12-25|accessdate = 2009-10-28| publisher = Ma'an News|location = Bethlehem, PS}}</ref><ref name=katz>{{Cite news
  
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| last = Katz| first = Yaakov| coauthors = Herb Keinon| title = IDF gets green light to strike Hamas after rocket barrage
  
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| work = The Jerusalem Post| accessdate = December 27, 2008| date = December 24, 2008| url = http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1229868837971| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5dSq9wqKW| archivedate=December 30, 2008}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref> Hamas said that it would expand the "Oil Stain" and put thousands of Israelis "under fire". Hamas said it was ready for the war: "far greater than surrendering to Israeli threats and that they became much more prepared to counter Israeli aggression and to defend themselves than in the past."<ref name=maan/>
  
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On December 25, after Israel had "wrapped up preparations for a broad offensive", [[Israeli Prime Minister]] [[Ehud Olmert]] delivered a final warning in an interview with the Arabic language satellite channel [[al-Arabiya]]. He said "I am telling them now, it may be the last minute, I'm telling them stop it. We are stronger."<ref>{{Cite news
  
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| title = Olmert Delivers 'Last Minute' Warning to Gaza|date = December 25, 2008|url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,472856,00.html|work=Fox News}}</ref> Another 6 Qassams landed in southern Israel.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3644086,00.html 6 Qassams land in southern Israel], YNET, December 25, 2008</ref>
  
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{{Clear}}
  
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==Campaign==
  
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{{Main|Timeline of the Gaza War}}
  
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{{See also|Incidents in the Gaza War}}
  
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===Israeli offensive===
  
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Israel began planning for a military operation as early as six months before the conflict by collecting intelligence on potential targets. The IDF also engaged in a disinformation campaign to give Hamas a false sense of security and to take them by surprise. Defense minister [[Ehud Barak]] stated that the offensive was the result of Israel's "patience running out" over the rocket attacks.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Six months of secret planning – then Israel moves against Hamas |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/29/israel-attack-hamas-preparations-repercussions |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |first=Ian |last=Black |date=2008-12-29 |accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref><ref name=ravid /> According to Israeli officials, its subsequent December 27 offensive took Hamas by surprise, thereby increasing militant casualties.<ref name=ravid>{{Cite news |first=Barak |last=Ravid |title=Disinformation, secrecy, and lies: How the Gaza offensive came about |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/disinformation-secrecy-and-lies-how-the-gaza-offensive-came-about-1.260347 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=December 27, 2008 |accessdate= December 27, 2008}}</ref>
  
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====Air strikes====
  
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[[File:Oferet-Yetzuka-F16I.jpg|thumb|right|Israeli F-16I of the [[107 Squadron (Israel)|107th Squadron]] preparing for take-off]]
  
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At 11:30&nbsp;am on December 27, 2008, Israel launched the campaign titled Operation Cast Lead. It began with an opening wave of [[airstrike]]s in which [[F-16]] fighter jets and [[AH-64 Apache]] attack helicopters<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129052 |title=Operation 'Cast Lead' Begins; One Israeli and 205 Arabs are Dead|publisher=Israel National News |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> simultaneously struck 100 preplanned targets within a span of 220 seconds. There was a 95% success rate with zero misses in the opening attack according to the Israeli Air Force.<ref name="In Gaza, Both Sides Reveal New Gear" /> Thirty minutes later, a second wave of 60 jets and helicopters struck at an additional 60 targets. [[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Hamas Terrorist Training Camp (3).jpg|thumb|left|Hamas training camp]] The air strikes hit Hamas headquarters, government offices and 24 police stations.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{Cite news|url=http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2009/09/15/UNFFMGCReport.pdf|title=Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict|publisher=United Nations Human Rights Council|accessdate=15 September 2009|location=London}}</ref> An Israeli [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]] airstrike on the police headquarters of Gaza City killed 40 people, including several dozen police cadets at their graduation ceremony.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrw.org/en/node/84077/section/3 |title=Precisely Wrong|publisher=Human Rights Watch|date=2009-06-30 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> Approximately 140 members of Hamas were killed, including [[Tawfik Jaber]], head of Hamas' police force.<ref name="JPOST">{{cite news |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel//Article.aspx?id=126519 |title=A year's intel gathering yields 'alpha hits' |last=Katz |first=Yaakov |date=December 28, 2008 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |accessdate=December 28, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Reuters1">{{Cite news| url = http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSLR1342320081227|agency = Reuters|date = December 27, 2008|title = Casualties}}</ref> Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told reporters that Israel would strike all targets associated with what she called the "illegitimate, terrorist government of Hamas".<ref name="In Gaza, Both Sides Reveal New Gear" /> Israel's goal, according to the ''The New York Times'', was to project an image of "calculated rage" to dissuade Palestinians from attacking Israel through actions such as the coordinated attacks against multiple targets in the middle of a Saturday morning on the first day of the conflict that killed approximately 200 Palestinians.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/19/world/middleeast/19assess.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all& "Parsing Gains of Gaza War"] New York Times, January 18, 2009</ref>
  
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At least 225-230 Palestinians were killed, most of them Hamas security officers,<ref>{{cite news |title=Death toll passes 225 in Israeli offensive on Gaza|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2008/12/27/gaza.html|date=December 27, 2008|work=CBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/idf-surprises-hamas-with-largest-gaza-operation-since-1967-at-least-225-killed-1.260365 |title=IDF surprises Hamas with largest Gaza operation since 1967, at least 225 killed}}</ref> and more than 700 injured on the first day of air strikes. Civilians, including children, were among the casualties.<ref name="Reuters1" /> Human rights groups critically note that the attacks began around the time children were leaving school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/israelopt-immediate-access-humanitarian-workers-and-observers-essential-20081231 |title=Israel/OPT: Immediate access to humanitarian workers and observers essential|publisher=Amnesty International|date=2008-12-31 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> The Israeli attack was the deadliest one-day death toll in 60 years of conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, a day that was called the ''Massacre of Black Saturday'' by Palestinians in Gaza.<ref name="Alarabiya1">[http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/12/27/62895.html At least 205 killed as Israeli pounds Gaza], [[Alarabiya]], December 27, 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5404501.ece Israeli jets kill ‘at least 225’ in strikes on Gaza] Times Online Website 2008-12-28</ref> Hamas responded with a rocket barrage on Southern Israel, and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip kept Southern Israel under constant rocket fire during the entire war. Beersheba suffered two rocket attacks, the farthest Palestinian rockets had ever reached. Palestinian rocket fire killed three Israeli civilians and one soldier in the early days of the conflict.<ref name="Timeline">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7812290.stm |title=Gaza conflict: Timeline |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-01-18 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref>
  
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In the weeks following the initial air raids [[F-16I]]s and [[AH-64 Apache]]s continued to target Hamas facilities while also inflicting severe damage to Palestinian infrastructure.<ref name='azcentral.com4Jan2009'>{{Cite news| first=Ibrahim|last=Barzak|coauthors= Jason Keyser|title=Israeli troops, tanks slice deep into Gaza|date=2009-01-04|publisher=azcentral.com | agency=Associated Press | url =http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/01/04/20090104gaza0124.html|accessdate = 2009-02-18}}</ref> Israel used the 2000-pound [[Mark 84 bomb|Mark 84]] [[Joint Direct Attack Munition]] to attack buildings and tunnels along the Gaza-Sinai border. The 500-pound variant was used against underground bunkers.<ref name="In Gaza, Both Sides Reveal New Gear" /> Israel also used the new PB500A1 laser-guided hard-target penetration bomb, which was developed by [[Israel Military Industries]], and is based on the less sophisticated [[Mark 83 bomb|Mark 83]]. There were unconfirmed reports of the IAF also using the [[GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb]] for the first time.<ref name='Aviation Week 2009-05-11'>{{cite news|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/GAZA031109.xml |title=New Tactics Yield Solid Victory in Gaza |accessdate=2009-07-03 |last=Eshel |first=David |date=2009-05-11 |work=Aviation Week}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref> Israeli aircraft also used synthetic aperture radar [[targeting pods]] and high-resolution imaging pods.<ref name="In Gaza, Both Sides Reveal New Gear" /> After being grounded six months prior, the Israeli fleet of [[AH-1 Cobra|AH-1F Cobra]] helicopter gunships were rushed back into service for the operation.<ref name="IPS Arsenal" /> The Israeli Air Force also used [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s firing Israeli-manufactured [[Spike (missile)|Spike]] missiles.
  
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According to the IAF, 80% of the bombs used by the IAF were precision weapons, and 99% of the air strikes hit their targets.<ref name="Examining the Conduct of IDF Operations in Gaza">{{Cite news| title= Examining the Conduct of IDF Operations in Gaza| url= http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=3034| publisher=The Washington Institute for Near East Policy| date=March 27, 2009}}</ref> A study by the [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] points out that when possible, IAF executed strikes using the smallest precision-guided weapons, and coordinated air strikes and the use of artillery weapons using GPS, in a systematic effort to limit collateral damage.<ref name="AnthonyHCordesman" /> In a 2009 interview, Major General [[Ido Nehushtan]] said that the only use of non-[[precision-guided munition]]s from the Israeli Air Force was in open areas.<ref name='DefenseNews 2009-03-08'/> He went on to say: "We had to find ways to do things as precisely and proportionately as possible, while focusing on how to differentiate between terrorists and uninvolved civilians.<ref name='DefenseNews 2009-03-08'/>
  
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The IDF also targeted homes of Hamas commanders, noting: "Destruction of hundreds of Hamas leaders' homes [is] one of the keys to the offensive's success. The homes serve as weapons warehouses and headquarters, and shelling them has seriously hindered Hamas capabilities."<ref name=Ynet_IDF_Ponders_Response>{{cite news|title=IDF ponders response to rocket fire|date=January 18, 2009|author=Hanan Greenberg|publisher=[[Ynet]]|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3658356,00.html}}</ref> Several high-ranking Hamas commanders were killed, including [[Nizar Rayan]], [[Abu Zakaria al-Jamal]], and Jamal Mamduch. Hamas leaders often died along with their families in their homes. According to a Hamas spokesperson and Rayyan's son, the IDF warned Rayan, by contacting his cell phone, that an attack on his house was imminent.<ref name="Independent">{{Cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/profile-of-a-professor-who-was-prepared-for-martyrdom-1221114.html |title=Profile of a professor who was prepared for martyrdom |date=2009-01-02 |publisher=The Independent |accessdate=2009-01-04 |location=London |first1=Said |last1=Ghazali |first2=Donald |last2=MacIntyre |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090105030307/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/profile-of-a-professor-who-was-prepared-for-martyrdom-1221114.html |archivedate=5 January 2009}}</ref><ref name =telegraph_rayan>{{Cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/4061004/Hardline-Hamas-leader-killed-in-air-strike-on-Gaza-home.html|title=Hardline Hamas leader killed in air strike on Gaza home|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=January 1, 2009|accessdate=2009-01-02|location=London|first=Tim|last=Butcher}}</ref> Some Hamas leaders hid in the basements of the Shifa Hospital complex in Gaza City in the belief that they would be protected by human shields.<ref name="shifa"/> Hamas Interior Minister [[Said Seyam]], Hamas Interior Ministry Security Director Saleh Abu Sharkh, and local Hamas militia leader Mahmoud Abu Watfah were killed on January 15 in an Israeli airstrike in [[Jabalia]].
  
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[[File:Orphanschoolmosque.jpg|thumb|left|Destroyed building in [[Rafah]], January 12, 2009{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}]]
  
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Among IDF's measures to reduce civilian casualties were the extensive use of leaflets and phone messages to warn Palestinians, including families in high-risk areas and families of Hamas personnel, to leave the area or to avoid potential targets.<ref name="AnthonyHCordesman" /><ref name="IDFphones">{{Cite news |agency=Haaretz Service and The Associated Press |title= IDF phones Gaza residents to warn them of imminent strikes |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/idf-phones-gaza-residents-to-warn-them-of-imminent-strikes-1.267350 | date=January 2, 2009}}</ref><ref name=nytimestraps>{{Cite news |title= Gaza War Full of Traps and Trickery |url= http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/world/middleeast/11hamas.html| newspaper=The New York Times| date=January 10, 2009|first=Steven|last=Erlanger|accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref> Israel used A-4 Skyhawks to deliver more than 2 million leaflets urging the population to evacuate.<ref name='DefenseNews 2009-03-08'>{{cite news|url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4216231&c=FEA&s=INT |title=Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan |accessdate=2009-08-04 |last=Opall-Rome |first=Barbara |date=2009-03-08 |work=DefenseNews}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref> In a practice codenamed [[roof knocking]], the IDF issued warning calls before air strikes on civilian buildings. Typically, Israeli intelligence officers and [[Shin Bet]] security servicemen contacted residents of a building in which they suspected storage of military assets and told them that they had 10–15 minutes to flee the attack.<ref name="In Gaza, Both Sides Reveal New Gear">">{{Cite news| title= In Gaza, Both Sides Reveal New Gear| url= http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3885990| publisher=Defense News| date=January 5, 2009}}</ref><ref name="jpost">{{Cite news |url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=128307 |title=A response to a Euro-Mediterranean appeal |date=2009-01-04 |last=Kurz |first=Anat N. |coauthors=Emily B. Landau |publisher=The Jerusalem Post |accessdate=2009-01-10}} [http://www.webcitation.org/5eCHBRjDI Archived version 2009-01-29]</ref><ref name="haretz-rk">{{Cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/idf-targets-senior-hamas-figures-1.267312 |title=IDF targets senior Hamas figures |date=2009-01-04 |last=Harel |first=Amos |coauthor=Yoav Stern |newspaper=Haaretz |accessdate=2009-01-09}}</ref> At several instances, the IDF has also used a sound bomb to warn civilians before striking homes.<ref name="IDFphones" /> In some cases, IDF commanders called off airstrikes, when residents of suspected houses have been able to gather on its roof.<ref name="IDFphones" /> IAF developed small bomb that is designed not to explode as it was aimed at empty areas of the roofs to frighten residents into leaving the building.<ref name="AnthonyHCordesman" /><ref name=nytimestraps/> Israel's military used low-explosive missiles to warn civilians of imminent attack and to verify that buildings were evacuated before attacks.<ref name='DefenseNews 2009-03-08'/> Some of the attacks took place sooner than the warning suggested and many calls were not followed up with attacks.<ref name="ocha_report_1_2">{{Cite news| title = Gaza Humanitarian Situation Report – January 2, 2009 as of 14:30| date = 2009-01-02| publisher = UN [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]] | url = http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_situation_report_2009_01_02_english.pdf | accessdate = 2009-01-02| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5dYZRlFLB| archivedate = 2009-01-02}}</ref> The Israeli Government report notes that while the warning systems implemented by the IDF did not eliminate all harm to civilians, they were apparently effective, because in many incidents aerial video surveillance by IDF forces confirmed the departure of numerous residents from targeted areas as a direct result of the warnings before the attacks. While Israel is not a party to the Protocol I, Israel accepts its provisions as reflective of customary international law.<ref name="FACTUAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS">[http://www.mfa.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/E89E699D-A435-491B-B2D0-017675DAFEF7/0/GazaOperation.pdf Factual and legal aspects]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}, IMFA, 30 July 2009</ref>
  
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By January 3, 2009, the Palestinian death toll stood at 400, with 25% estimated to be civilian casualties.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7809699.stm |title=Israel steps up offensive on Gaza |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-01-03 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> The air offensive continued throughout the ground invasion that followed, and as of January 15, Israeli forces had carried out 2,360 air strikes.<ref name=Sengupta1501>{{Cite news|title=Civilian casualties: Human rights groups accuse Israelis of war crimes|author=Donald Macintyre and Kim Sengupta|date=January 15, 2009|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/civilian-casualties-human-rights-groups-accuse-israelis-of-war-crimes-1366727.html|work=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> No safe haven or bomb shelters existed, making this one of the rare conflicts where civilians had no place to flee.<ref name="ocha_report_1_7">{{Cite news| title = Situation Report From The Humanitarian Coordinator – January 7, 2009, 1700 hours| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/documentsocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_01_07_english.pdf| date = 2009-01-07
  
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| agency = UN [[Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]| accessdate = 2009-01-07
  
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| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5dewG3QSd| archivedate = 2009-01-07}}</ref> The IAF had so far carried out 555 aerial sorties and 125 helicopter missions, and dozens of [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]] flight hours were logged.
  
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====Naval operations====
  
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The [[Israeli Navy]] attacked Hamas' rocket launchers and outposts, command and control centers, a Hamas patrol boat, and the office of Hamas Prime Minister [[Ismail Haniyeh]], using the [[Typhoon Weapon System]] and [[Surface to surface missile]]s.<ref>[http://www.dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/the_Front/09/01/0101.htm Dover.idf.il]</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/1051000.html |title=(In Hebrew) |publisher=Haaretz.co.il |date=2010-02-09 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> The navy coordinated with other Israeli forces and used powerful shipboard sensors to acquire and shell targets on land.<ref name="In Gaza, Both Sides Reveal New Gear" /><ref name='DefenseNews 2009-05-11'/> Records of the attacks published by the navy indicate that for the first time vessels were equipped with [[Spike (missile)|Spike ER]] electro-optically guided anti-armor missiles. Videos of an attack showed precision hits from a [[Typhoon Weapon System|Typhoon]] stabilizing gun despite a rolling sea. Versions of the Spike were also used by ground units<ref name='Aviation Week 2009-05-11'/> and possibly by helicopters or [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLU55228 Human Rights Watch accuses Israel over Gaza drones], Reuters, 30 June 2009</ref> [[Shayetet 13]] naval [[commando]]s were also deployed to attack targets on land,<ref name="Haaretz 2009-01-15">{{Cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/hamas-launches-first-phosphorus-rocket-at-negev-no-injuries-reported-1.268159 |title=Hamas launches first phosphorus rocket at Negev; no injuries reported |last=Yagna |first=Yanir |coauthors=Ashkenazi, Eli; Pfeffer, Anshel |date=January 15, 2009 |publisher=Haaretz |accessdate=May 5, 2010}}</ref> and reportedly attacked an [[Iran]]ian ship loaded with arms for Hamas, which was docking in Sudan.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L3699142,00.html Ynetnews.com]</ref> On 28 December, Naval vessels shelled the [[Port of Gaza]].<ref name="Timeline"/>
  
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On December 29, the [[Free Gaza Movement]] relief boat ''Dignity'' carrying volunteer doctors with 3.5 tons of medical supplies, human rights activists (Among them [[Caoimhe Butterly]] and former US Representative [[Cynthia McKinney]]), and a CNN reporter was involved in an altercation with Israeli patrol boats. The captain of the Free Gaza vessel said that their vessel had been rammed intentionally and that there had been no warning before it had been rammed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7805075.stm |title=Gaza aid boat 'rammed by Israel' |publisher=BBC News |date=2008-12-30 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> An Israeli spokesman disputed this, and said the collision was caused by the ''Dignity'' attempting to outmaneuver the patrol boats after disobeying Israeli orders to turn back.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/12/30/gaza.aid.boat/index.html |title=Gaza relief boat damaged in encounter with Israeli vessel|work=CNN|date= 2008-12-30|accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>
  
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On January 4, the Israeli Navy extended its blockade of the Gaza Strip to 20 nautical miles.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2009/01/20091322357629723.html |title=Israeli ground troops enter Gaza |publisher=Al Jazeera|date=2009-01-04 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>
  
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Throughout the war, the Israeli Navy employed [[Sa'ar 4.5 class missile boat]]s and [[Super Dvora Mk III class patrol boat]]s.
  
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====Ground invasion====
  
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{{See also|2009 Ibrahim al-Maqadna Mosque strike|Zeitoun incident}}
  
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IDF infantry and armor units amassed near the Gaza border on December 28, engaging in a [[blockade]] of the strip.
  
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[[File:Gazasmoke.JPG|thumb|Explosion in Gaza, January 12, 2009<ref name="War On Gaza Day 17">{{Cite news|url=http://cc.aljazeera.net/node/30|title=War On Gaza Day 17|date=2009-12-01|publisher=Al Jazeera|language=Arabic|accessdate=19 February 2010}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref>]]
  
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[[File:Samouni2.jpg|thumb|[[International Solidarity Movement|ISM]] photo:"Damage to the Zeitoun neighbourhood"]]
  
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On the evening of January 3, Israel began the ground operation with a massive [[artillery]] barrage all along the Gaza boundary, and ground forces were sent into Gaza for the first time since the start of the conflict.<ref name="Time January 3, 2009">
  
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{{Cite news
  
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|first = Aaron
  
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|last = Klein
  
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|url = http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1869441,00.html?iid=tsmodule
  
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|title = Israel Enters Gaza: Negotiating with Extreme Prejudice
  
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|date = 2009-01-03
  
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|accessdate = 2010-05-17
  
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|work= Time
  
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}}
  
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</ref><ref name="haaretz-groundInvasion">
  
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{{cite news
  
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|first = Amos
  
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|last = Harel
  
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|coauthors = Yanir Yagna and Yoav Stern
  
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|url = http://www.haaretz.com/news/palestinians-mother-4-children-killed-in-idf-gaza-offensive-1.267361
  
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|title = Palestinians: Mother, 4 children killed in IDF Gaza offensive
  
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|date = January 3, 2009
  
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|accessdate = 2009-01-03
  
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|publisher = Haaretz
  
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}}
  
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</ref><ref name="ynet_ground_troops_started">{{Cite news| url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3649729,00.html|title = IDF enters Gaza; dozens of terrorists hurt|accessdate = 2009-01-03|date = 2009-01-03|first = Hanan|last = Greenberg}}</ref> According to the IDF, the intention of the ground invasion, termed the 'second stage' of Operation Cast Lead, was to secure areas within the Gaza Strip from which militants continued to launch rockets even after the Israeli air strikes.
  
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The [[Paratroopers Brigade|Paratroopers]], [[Golani Brigade|Golani]], and [[Givati Brigade|Givati]] brigades simultaneously entered the Gaza Strip from several unexpected directions to avoid reported [[booby trap]]s while also outflanking opposing forces. The [[401st Brigade (IDF)|401st Armored Brigade]] used [[Merkava|Merkava Mark IV]] tanks to quickly block access from Rafah and Khan Yunis to Gaza City, cutting supply lines to Hamas from the south.<ref name='Aviation Week 2009-05-11'/> The move put psychological pressure on Hamas while also forcing combatants to withdraw from the front line. Israeli forces took strategic hilltops to better control areas.<ref name="Time January 3, 2009"/>
  
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[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Weapons Found in a Mosque During Cast Lead (2).jpg|left|thumb|IDF photo:"Weapons found in a mosque"]]
  
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The Israeli advance was spearheaded by [[Combat Engineering Corps]] sappers opening routes and allowing the ground forces to advance while dismantling [[booby trap]]s set up in great numbers by Hamas, often set to detonate upon entry to a building. [[Improvised explosive device]]s (IED) were a concern for Israeli soldiers.<ref name="Belfast Telegraph 2010-02-04">{{Cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/israeli-commander-we-rewrote-the-rules-of-war-for-gaza-14665546.html|title=Israeli commander: 'We rewrote rules of war for Gaza conflict'|last=Macintrye|first=Donald|date=February 4, 2010|work=The Belfast Telegraph|accessdate=March 6, 2010|location=Jerusalem}}</ref> One Israeli commander said that booby traps were found in a mosque and one-third of the houses. He said that some of the traps were designed to assist in taking IDF soldiers captive. All such attempts failed.<ref name="jpost.com"/><ref name="NY Times 2009-01-16">{{Cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/world/middleeast/16gaza.html|title=Israel Lets Reporters See Devastated Gaza Site and Image of a Confident Militrary|last=Bronner|first=Ethan|date=January 16, 2009|work=The New York Times|accessdate=March 6, 2010}}</ref> The IDF used [[IDF Caterpillar D9|D9 armored bulldozers]] to ensure that paths were cleared of IEDs. These bulldozers were also used to destroy tunnels. The unmanned, remote-controlled version of the D9 (called Black Thunder) were also used. In one case an armored D9 knocked down a door, which triggered an explosion of a building full of explosive on top of the D9. The D9 survived the explosion and building's collapse. [[Combat engineer]]s that inspected the rubbles found a tunnel, cache of weapons and remains of a [[suicide bomber]].<ref>Tal Zagraba [http://www.handasa.org.il/show_item.asp?levelId=64757&itemId=220 "Teddybears Tales" סיפורי דובים], [[BaMachane]] and Official [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] [[Combat Engineering Corps]] (in Hebrew)</ref> Viper miniature robots were deployed by Israeli forces for the first time. These were used for various tasks including the disabling of IEDs. Along with blocking mobile phone communication, the IDF employed electronic jamming equipment to disable remote operated explosives.<ref name="IPS Arsenal">{{Cite journal |last=Esposito |first=Michele K. |date=Spring 2000 |title=Israeli Arsenal Deployed Against Gaza During Operation Cast Lead |journal=Journal of Palestine Studies |publisher=Institute for Palestine Studies |volume=XXXVIII |issue=3 |pages=175–191 |issn=1533-8614 |url=http://www.palestine-studies.org/files/pdf/jps/10341.pdf |accessdate=March 6, 2010}}</ref> Among others, The IDF used the new Bull Island system for the first time to identify booby traps in buildings. Bull Island uses a camera shaped like a tennis ball that can be thrown into a building to transfer 360-degree imagery to the troops outside of the structure.<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/><ref name="Aviation Week 2009-02-23">{{Cite news |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A224d5653-f53f-4928-9393-082e52c78f32|title=Israel unleashed Bulls and Matadors on Gaza |last=Wall |first=Robert |date=February 23, 2009 |work=Aviation Week |accessdate=May 5, 2010}}</ref>
  
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Israeli artillery units worked closely with battalion commanders.<ref name='DefenseNews 2009-05-11'>{{Cite news | first=Barbara |last=Opall-Rome |title=Gaza War Is Battle Lab for Joint Combat Ops |date=2009-05-11 |url =http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4083045 |work =DefenseNews |accessdate = 2009-08-06}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref> For the first time, the Sheder Ham digitized data, mapping, and command-and-control system linked the Artillery Corps into the Army's overall C4I network.<ref name="IPS Arsenal" /> Israel artillery fired approximately 7,000 rounds during the conflict. An Israel Defense Forces colonel stated that tactics and procedures had to suit the difficult urban environment. The number of rounds in the 22-day conflict was 5% of the total fired during the 34-day Lebanon war. Under the condition of anonymity, another officer said that close air support missions accounted for more than 90% of rounds fired. He also said that about half of those were MA25A1 incendiary based smoke rounds used to mask troop movements.
  
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The [[Oketz Unit]], the IDF's dog-handling corps, performed 33 successful missions during the war, with specially trained sniffer and attack dogs and their handlers leading advancing forces. In every mission that involved Oketz dogs, there were no casualties among soldiers. Three dogs were killed by enemy fire during the war.<ref>Buhbut, Amir: ''With bared teeth: Oketz dogs to catch stone throwers''. ''Maariv''</ref>
  
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Hamas guerrillas sometimes emerged from tunnels to fire at IDF soldiers, then pulled back to lure troops into built-up areas. In one case, a Palestinian dressed in an Israeli Army uniform opened fire on a group of soldiers, but was killed before he could cause any casualties. In several instances, would-be [[suicide bomber]]s with explosive vests charged Israeli soldiers, but all were killed before they could reach their targets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rt.com/Top_News/2009-01-12/Gaza:_the_partisan_war.html |title=Gaza: the partisan war – RT Top Stories |publisher=Rt.com |date=2009-01-12 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref>
  
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Israeli ground troops entered Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza in the early hours of January 4.<ref name="aljazeera4jan">[http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/20091322357629723.html Israeli ground troops enter Gaza], ''Al Jazeera English''. 2009-01-04</ref> Israeli forces reportedly bisected Gaza and surrounded [[Gaza City]],<ref name="haaretz-groundInvasion" /> but restricted their movements to areas that were not heavily urbanised.{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}} The IDF stated that it had targeted forty sites, including weapons depots and rocket launch sites. The Israeli military said that 50 Hamas fighters were killed and dozens more wounded.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3650496,00.html |title='He wanted to protect people'|publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=1995-06-20 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> At least 25 Palestinian rockets were fired into Southern Israel, wounding a woman in [[Sderot]].<ref name="Timeline"/> One Israeli soldier was killed and 19 other soldiers were wounded in [[Jabalia]] when a mortar shell fired by Hamas fighters landed on their patrol.
  
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As Israeli tanks and troops seized control of large parts of the Gaza Strip, tens of thousands of Gazans fled their homes amid artillery and gunfire, and flooded into the inner parts of Gaza city.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McCarthy|first=Rory|title=Thousands flee guns and shells as Israel tightens grip on Gaza|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/05/israel-palestine-gaza-attacks|date=2009-01-05|work=The Guardian|location=London}}</ref> On January 5, IDF forces began operating in the densely populated urban centers of Gaza. Gun battles broke out between the IDF and Hamas on the streets of Gaza as the IDF surrounded the city.<ref name=reutersjan5>{{Cite news|title=Israel presses on with Gaza attack|date=2009-01-05|publisher=Reuters}}</ref><ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/05/israel-palestine-gaza-attacks1 Israeli troops and Hamas fighters clash in Gaza City] ''[[Guardian.co.uk]]''. 2009-01-05.</ref> IDF combat units were sent in to capture Hamas fighters, and were met with grenades and mortar fire. The Israeli military said that 80–100 Hamas fighters were killed and 100 captured during heavy ground fighting. Some 40 rockets and mortar shells were fired at Israel, injuring four civilians.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3651124,00.html |title=Hamas adamant to strike back at IDF|publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=1995-06-20 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Israel continued to launch airstrikes and naval bombardments.
  
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On January 6, heavy fighting took place between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants on the outskirts of the northern district of Gaza City, while Israeli helicopter gunships pounded militant positions. The IDF reportedly widened its attacks to [[Khan Yunis]] in southern Gaza, after heavy fighting on the edges of [[Deir al-Balah]] in central Gaza.<ref name="Timeline"/> The [[Al-Fakhura school incident|Al Fakhura school]] was hit by Israeli mortar fire, and reports on deaths and if militants were among the casualties varied.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/victorious-but-vilified-israel-has-destroyed-its-image-and-its-soul-1418920.html|work=The Independent|location=London|title=Victorious, but vilified: Israel has 'destroyed its image and its soul'|first=Kim|last=Sengupta|date=2009-01-18|accessdate=2010-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/06/content_10614759.htm |title=Israeli army strikes Gaza's UN School, 40 killed: Medics |publisher=Xinhua |date=2009-01-06 |accessdate=2010-07-23}}</ref><ref name="jpost_idf_releases">{{cite news |last=Katz |first=Yaakov |title=IDF releases names of UN school deaths |date=2009-02-19 |publisher=The Jerusalem Post |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=133506 |archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/5rQKyAmQH |archivedate= 2010-07-22 |deadurl=no |accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> The attack was originally reported as being on the school.<ref>{{cite news|title=Strike at Gaza school 'kills 40' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7814054.stm|accessdate=September 28, 2010|date=January 7, 2009, Updated February 2009|work=BBC News}}</ref> In northern Gaza City, Palestinian gunmen ambushed an Israeli patrol, killing one soldier and wounding four. The patrol returned fire, hitting some of the gunmen,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3651665,00.html |title=6th soldier killed in Gaza operation|publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=1995-06-20 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> while in [[Jabalya]], an Israeli tank fired a shell into an abandoned building as [[Golani Brigade]] soldiers were taking cover in it, killing 3 soldiers and wounding 24. The casualties were extracted under the cover of heavy artillery fire and helicopters dropping illumination bombs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3651165,00.html |title=Gaza: 3 soldiers killed, 24 injured in friendly fire incident|publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=1995-06-20 |accessdate=2012-10-07}}</ref> In a separate friendly fire incident, an Israeli officer was killed by a misdirected artillery shell. In all, at least 70 Palestinians and 5 Israelis were killed on January 6.<ref name="Timeline"/>
  
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====Arms interdiction and the Sudan strike====
  
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{{Main|2009 Sudan airstrikes}}
  
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In January and February 2009, there was a series of two air strikes in Sudan and one in the Red Sea allegedly conducted by Israel against a convoy of 17 trucks containing [[Iran]]ian arms, possibly [[Fajr-3]] artillery rockets, being smuggled to the Gaza Strip through Sudan. A total of 39 were reported killed, with Iranian Revolutionary Guard operatives possibly among the dead.<ref>{{cite news |title=Exclusive: Three Israeli Airstrikes Against Sudan |url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2009/03/exclusive-three.html |publisher=ABC News |date=2009-03-27|accessdate=2009-03-28}}</ref><ref name=haaretz0328>{{cite news |title=Report: Israel carried out 3 attacks on Sudan arms smugglers |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/report-israel-carried-out-3-attacks-on-sudan-arms-smugglers-1.273055 |agency=Haaretz Service and The Associated Press |publisher=Haaretz |date=2009-03-28 |accessdate=2009-03-28}}</ref> The attack was widely reported to have been conducted by Israeli aircraft, while the Israeli government hinted that it was behind the attack.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7966865.stm BBC NEWS | Africa | Did Israel carry out Sudan strike?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Naval commandos from the elite [[Shayetet 13]] unit were reportedly involved in the operation, which included an attack on an Iranian arms ship docking in [[Port Sudan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3699142,00.html |title=Report: Naval commando forces involved in Sudan strike|publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=1995-06-20 |accessdate=2012-10-07}}</ref>
  
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====Attack on Gaza City====
  
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On January 7, Israel carried out 40 airstrikes overnight. Dozens of other targets were attacked by aircraft and artillery during the day, and the Gaza-Egypt border was bombed after Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets onto [[Rafah]], urging the residents to leave. A total of 20 Palestinians were killed. A total of 20 rockets were fired into Southern Israel.<ref name="Timeline"/> Israel temporarily halted its attacks for three hours to provide a "humanitarian respite".<ref name="Al Jazeera Timeline"/> On January 8, an exchange of fire took place in Gaza city. Hamas suffered heavy losses, but an Israeli officer of the [[Golani Brigade]] was also killed. In Northern Gaza, snipers opened fire on Israeli forces conducting an operation, killing an Israeli soldier. Another Israeli soldier was lightly wounded. The IDF soldiers identified the origin of the fire and returned fire, directly hitting the snipers. In another incident, several mortar shells were fired at [[Givati Brigade]] soldiers, who responded with mortar fire and were aided by IAF airstrikes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B-BKam68mM |title=Operation Cast Lead Day 15 |publisher=Youtube.com |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> In Central Gaza, a force of IDF soldiers entered a building near the Kissfum crossing. As the force entered, Hamas fighters fired an anti-tank rocket at them, killing one Israeli officer and wounding one soldier. Israeli aircraft also hit more than 40 Hamas targets in Gaza.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7822786.stm |title=Israel is 'nearing Gaza goals' |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-01-11 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Israeli troops shot and killed Hamas commander Amir Mansi and wounded two other Hamas fighters as they operated a mortar.<ref>''Haaretz'' – IDF: Hamas men beginning to desert; army steps up Gaza op.</ref> The IAF attacked over 60 Hamas targets. A rocket fired from Gaza wounded seven IDF soldiers in Southern Israel. On January 10, the Israeli military said that another 40 sites were targeted, and that 15 Hamas fighters were killed.<ref>Yahoo! News</ref> On January 11, the IDF started the third stage of the operation with an attack on the suburbs of [[Gaza City]]. Israeli forces pushed into the south of the city and reached a key junction to its north. During their advance, Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters ambushed Israeli troops at several locations, and heavy fighting ensued, in which 40 Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters were killed.<ref name="JPOST" /> Additionally, the IAF reported that Hamas operatives had tried to shoot down an IAF plane with [[Anti-Aircraft|anti-aircraft missiles]] for the first time since operations in Gaza began. Heavy machine gun fire against helicopters had also been unsuccessful.<ref name=haaretz-Hamas-fired-missiles /> Two Hamas fighters were killed by an Israeli airstrike in the Southern Gaza Strip. A Palestinian woman was also killed by Israeli artillery fire.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7822623.stm |title=Gaza hit by new Israeli strikes |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-01-11 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Israeli forces continued to push deeper into heavily populated areas around Gaza City. Fierce clashes were reported in the Southern suburb of [[Sheikh Ijlin|Sheikh Ajleen]].<ref name="Timeline"/> On January 12, nearly 30 rockets and mortars were fired at Southern Israel, damaging a house in Ashkelon.
  
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[[File:Day 18 of War on Gaza.PNG|thumb|right|Palestinians in a Gaza city neighbourhood on Day 18 of the War in Gaza<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cc.aljazeera.net/asset/language/arabic/war-gaza-day-18|title=War On Gaza Day 18|date=2009-01-13|publisher=[[Al-Jazeera]]|language=Arabic|accessdate=2009-01-28}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref>]]
  
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On January 13, Israeli tanks continued their advance toward the headquarters of Hamas' preventive security building from the al-Karramah neighborhood in the northwest and the [[Tel al-Hawa]] neighborhood in the northeast. The Israeli Army also said that 25 mortars and rockets were fired into Southern Israel.<ref name="Timeline"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/13/israel.gaza/index.html |title=3 rockets fall in northern Israel; Gaza fighting continues |publisher=CNN|date= 2009-01-14|accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Before dawn, during the night, Israeli troops and tanks supported by artillery and helicopters advanced 300 metres into Tel al-Hawa, a neighborhood with several high-rise buildings, while Israeli gunboats shelled Hamas targets along the coast.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watcj?v=In8LAmg7tg Youtube.com] (As provided by the Official YouTube channel of Israeli Television</ref> As troops entered the narrow streets, heavy street fighting with militants ensued leaving three Israeli soldiers wounded and 30 Hamas militants dead or wounded, according to the IDF. By morning IDF soldiers were still advancing slowly towards the city center and several buildings were in flames in Tel al-Hawa, where most of the fighting took place. Five Israeli soldiers were wounded during clashes with militants, and an officer was severely wounded by an explosion inside a booby-trapped building.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/idf-officer-critically-hurt-in-gaza-6-other-soldiers-also-wounded-1.268054 |publisher=Haaretz |title=IDF officer critically hurt in Gaza; 6 other soldiers also wounded |author=Anshel Pfeffer |date=13 January 2012 |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref> The push into the neighorhood was Israel's deepest incursion into Gaza City. There was widespread [[desertion]] by members of the Qassam Brigades in the face of the IDF advance.<ref name="jpost.com"/>
  
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On January 15, Israeli [[artillery]] started an intense bombardment of the city while fighting was still going on in the streets. Troops and tanks advanced deeper into the city following the shelling. The Israeli military claimed to have killed dozens of militants since breaching the city limits four days earlier, while they suffered 20–25 soldiers wounded. Among buildings hit by shellfire was the al-Quds hospital, Gaza's second-largest, in the [[Tel al-Hawa]] neighborhood. At least 14 rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel, wounding five and severely damaging a house in [[Sderot]].<ref name="Timeline"/>
  
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Almost all members of Hamas' approximately 100-man strong "Iranian Unit" were killed during a battle in the Zeytoun neighborhood on January 15. Members of the military wing had previously travelled to Iran for training by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. According to Palestinian sources, Iran was preparing for an end to the fighting and promised money and resources to rebuild military capabilities and infrastructure destroyed during the fighting.<ref name='Haaretz 2001-01-16'>{{Cite news |first=Amos |last=Harel |coauthors=Yanir Yagna, Avi Issacharoff and Amira Haas |title=Palestinian sources: 'Iran unit' of Hamas has been destroyed |date=2009-01-16 |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/palestinian-sources-iran-unit-of-hamas-has-been-destroyed-1.268295| work=Haaretz |accessdate = 2009-08-07}}</ref>
  
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The headquarters of the [[United Nations Relief and Works Agency]] (UNRWA) was also shelled on January 15. There were 3 people injured and tons of food and fuel intended for 750,000 Palestinian refugees were destroyed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=29558&Cr=gaza&Cr1=unrwa |title=Senior official gives eyewitness account of Israeli shelling of UN Gaza compound |publisher=Un.org |date=2009-01-15 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> The Associated Press initially reported that an anonymous Israeli military official stated that Gaza militants had fired anti-tank weapons and machine guns from inside the compound. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said "it is absolutely true that we were attacked from that place, but the consequences are very sad and we apologize for it, I don't think it should have happened and I'm very sorry." After UNRWA dismissed this as "nonsense", Israel ordered an army investigation into the incident.<ref>[http://www.acus.org/new_atlanticist/israel-shells-un-headquarters-gaza Israel Shells UN Headquarters in Gaza] Atlantic Council Website 2009-01-19 Retrieved 2010-03-28</ref> Israeli officials afterwards "came forward to say that preliminary results showed that the militants ran for safety inside the U.N. compound after firing on Israeli forces from outside".<ref>[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2009-01/16/content_7404906.htm Israel shells Gaza UN warehouse, hospital, media offices] China Daily Website 2009-01-16 Retrieved 2010-03-28</ref>
  
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On January 16, more than 50 Israeli airstrikes were carried out against militants, tunnels, and a mosque suspected of being used as a weapons store. Israeli forces continued their push into Gaza City, while [[Israeli Navy]] vessels shelled militant targets in support.<ref name="Al Jazeera Timeline">{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2009/01/200917205418665491.html |title=Timeline: Gaza crisis |publisher=Al Jazeera |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> About 10 rockets were fired into Southern Israel.<ref name="Timeline"/> Palestinian militants fired 15 rockets into Israel, wounding eight people including a pregnant woman.
  
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The [[Givati Brigade]] penetrated the deepest into Gaza City. The brigade's reconnaissance battalion swept into the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood and took over two 15-story buildings in search of Hamas operatives two days before the cease fire went into effect. About 40 Palestinian fighters were killed during the operation. The commander of the brigade, Colonel Ilan Malka, was critical of Hamas' use of civilian houses and said that he "took many steps to prevent our soldiers from getting hurt". Malka told reporters that the IDF had initially predicted each battalion would lose six or seven soldiers.<ref name="A necessary operation">[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1249275681091&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull 'A necessary operation'], JPost, August 4, 2009</ref>
  
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The Israeli government considered a third phase of the operation with the intent of dealing a "knock out blow" to Hamas. Military and intelligence assessments indicating that shifting the goal to destroying Hamas would require additional weeks of deep ground incursions into urban areas and refugee camps. This was expected to result in heavy casualties on both sides and among civilians, reduce the strong domestic support for the war, and increase international criticism.<ref name="Israeli Arsenal">{{Cite journal|last=Esposito|first=Michele K.|date=Spring 2009|title=Military Dimensions: The Israeli Arsenal Deployed against Gaza|publisher=Journal of Palestine Studies|volume= 38| issue = 3|pages= p. 175–191.|url=http://www.palestine-studies.org/files/pdf/jps/10341.pdf|issn=1533-8614|doi=10.1525/jps.2009.XXXVIII.3.175|journal=Journal of Palestine Studies}}</ref>
  
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====Humanitarian ceasefires====
  
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Due to the number of civilian casualties and the deteriorating humanitarian situation, Israel faced significant international pressure for a ceasefire, the establishment of a [[humanitarian corridor]], access to the population of Gaza and the lifting of the blockade.<ref name="UN-090107Humanitarian">{{cite web
  
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|url=http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2009/090107_Humanitarian.doc.htm
  
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|title=Press conference by humanitarian, human rights organizations on gaza|date=2009-01-07
  
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|publisher=United Nations
  
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|accessdate=2009-09-08}}
  
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</ref> On January 7, Israel opened a humanitarian corridor to allow the shipment of aid into Gaza. The Israeli army agreed to interrupt fighting for three hours and Hamas agreed not to launch rockets during the pause.<ref name="VOAtruce">{{Cite news|author=Sonja Pace|title=Israel Opens Up Humanitarian Corridors in Gaza as Fighting Continues|url=http://voanews.com/english/2009-01-07-voa7.cfm}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Israel resumes Gaza raid after lull|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/200917151851205482.html}}</ref><ref name="recess">{{Cite news|title=Israel Declares Short 'Recess' In Gaza Fighting|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99073070|date=2009-01-07}}</ref> Israel repeated the ceasefire either daily or every other day. Aid officials and the UN praised the truce, but said it was not enough as fighting usually resumed immediately following the humanitarian ceasefires.<ref name="VOAtruce" /><ref name="mars">CNN [http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/07/israel.gaza/index.html Exchange of fire mars 3-hour truce in Gaza], January 7, 2009</ref><ref name="Haaretz_truce">{{cite news |title=Clashes resume in Gaza City after 3-hour humanitarian truce |url = http://www.haaretz.com/news/clashes-resume-in-gaza-city-after-3-hour-humanitarian-truce-1.267636 |agency=Reuters |publisher=Haaretz|date=7 January 2009 |accessdate=2009-01-07}}</ref><ref name="HumanitarianTruce">{{Cite news |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioi_0jtO9RjMwPNRoXNCndRPRq3gD95IA22O0 |title=Israel halts campaign for 3 hours to let in aid |agency=Associated Press |last=Barzak |first=Ibrahim |coauthors=Matti Friedman |date=January 7, 2009 |archivedate=January 7, 2009 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5deNCBMYH}}</ref> An Israeli Government report, published in July 2009, notes that during the period between 8 January and 17 January, Hamas fired a total of 44 rockets and mortars at Israel during humanitarian pauses.<ref name="Factual and Legal Aspects">[http://www.mfa.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/E89E699D-A435-491B-B2D0-017675DAFEF7/0/GazaOperation.pdf Factual and Legal Aspects]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}, p. 72 IMFA, July 2009</ref> An independent report commissioned jointly by the Israeli NGO [[Physicians for Human Rights]] and the Palestinian Medical Relief Society notes that according to testimonies by local witnesses, there were several cases where IDF ground forces breached the daily ceasefire agreement.<ref name="PHR-PMRS">[http://www.phr.org.il/phr/files/articlefile_1241949935203.pdf Final Report – Independent fact-finding mission into violations of human rights in the Gaza Strip during the period 27.12.2008 – 18.01.2009]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}, p. 10, p. 60 PHR-Israel and PMRS, April 2009</ref>
  
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===Palestinian paramilitary activity===
  
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[[File:A rocket fired from a civilian area in Gaza towards civilian areas in Southern Israel.jpg|thumb|According to Human Rights Watch rockets from Gaza were fired from populated areas.<ref name="Human Rights Watch, Rockets from Gaza"/>]]
  
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According to Abu Ahmed, the official media spokesman of the [[Al-Quds Brigades]], the military wing of the [[Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine|Palestinian Islamic Jihad]] movement, Palestinian paramilitary factions in Gaza worked together, operationally and otherwise, to repel the Israeli attack on Gaza. Abu Ahmed told ''[[Asharq al-Awsat]]'' during the war that, "everybody helps everybody else with regards to food, weapons, and first aid; there is no difference between a member 'Al Quds Brigade' or 'Al Qassam Brigade [military wing of Hamas]' or 'Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade' or 'Abu Ali Mustafa Brigade [military wing of Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine or PFLP]'. For everybody's goal is the same and their compass is pointing in the same direction, and that is to drive out the occupation and defeat them, and disrupt their plan to dissolve the Palestinian Cause."<ref name=Sharq>{{cite news|title=Al Quds Brigade: Urban Battle yet to Begin|date=January 15, 2009|author=Abdul-Hadee Aoukal|publisher=Asharq al-Awsat|url=http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=15384|accessdate=2009-08-23}}</ref>
  
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Political representatives for Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP, [[As-Sa'iqa|Saiqa]], the [[Popular Struggle Front]], the [[Revolutionary Palestinian Communist Party|Revolutionary Communist Party]], [[Palestinian Liberation Organisation]], Fatah's 'Intifada' faction, and a number of other Palestinian factions in Syria formed a temporary alliance during the offensive as well. They issued a joint statement refusing "any security arrangements that affect the resistance and its legitimate right to struggle against the occupation", and refusing proposals suggesting international forces be sent to Gaza. The coalition also affirmed that any peace initiatives must include an end to the blockade, and an opening of all of Gaza's crossings, including the Rafah crossing with Egypt.<ref name=Bauer0123>{{cite news|title=Palestinian factions united by war|author=Shane Bauer|publisher=Al Jazeera English|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/war_on_gaza/2009/01/200911915455957756.html|accessdate=2009-01-23}}</ref>
  
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====Preparation====
  
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Hamas used the months leading to the war to prepare for urban warfare, which was to give them a chance to inflict casualties on the Israeli military.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Asser |first=Martin |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7810506.stm |title=Hamas ready for bitter urban battle |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-01-04 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Militants booby-trapped houses and buildings and built an extensive system of tunnels in preparation for combat.<ref>Tim Butcher, [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/4229042/Israeli-soldiers-shocked-by-tunnel-network.html Israeli soldiers shocked by tunnel network], Telegraph.co.uk 14-01-2009</ref> A Hamas fighter reported that the group had prepared a tunnel network in Gaza city that would allow Hamas to engage the IDF in urban warfare.<ref name=times12Jan>The Times online, January 12, 2009 [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5497340.ece timesonline.co.uk]</ref> IDF commanders said that many Hamas members have dug tunnels for themselves under their homes and hid weapon caches in them.<ref name="IDF: Hamas built underground city">[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3651866,00.html IDF: Hamas built underground city], YNET, January 7, 2009</ref> Some houses were booby-trapped with mannequins, explosives and adjacent tunnels: Israeli officers said that houses were set up this way so that "Israeli soldiers would shoot the mannequin, mistaking it for a man; an explosion would occur; and the soldiers would be driven or pulled into the hole, where they could be taken prisoner." A colonel estimated that one-third of all houses encountered were booby-trapped.<ref name="NY Times 2009-01-16" /> IDF Brigadier-General Eyal Eisenberg said that roadside bombs were planted in TV satellite dishes, adding that Hamas booby-trapping of homes and schools was "monstrous" and "inhumane".<ref>Yaakov Katz, [http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1232292939041 Hamas use of children was 'monstrous'], ''The Jerusalem Post'' 22-01-2009</ref> Ron Ben-Yishai, an Israeli military correspondent embedded with invading ground forces, stated that entire blocks of houses were booby-trapped and wired in preparation for urban confrontation with the IDF. Israel said a map showing the deployment of explosives and Hamas forces in the al-Atatra neighborhood in northern Gaza was found. The map reportedly showed that Hamas placed many explosives and firing positions in residential areas, several mosques, and next to a gas station.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/09/hamas.sketch/index.html |title=Israel says map shows Hamas puts Gaza civilians at risk |publisher=CNN|date=2009-01-09 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Israel deployed the elite [[Sayeret Yahalom]] combat engineering unit throughout the brigades with new equipment including miniature robots and improved wall-breaching munitions to counter the booby-traps.<ref name='Aviation Week 2009-05-11'/>
  
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According to ''[[Jane's Defence Weekly]]'', armed groups in Gaza counted [[Palestinian domestic weapons production|domestically produced]] anti-armor [[Rocket-propelled grenade|RPGs]] like [[Batar|al-Battar]] and [[Al-Bana|Banna 1]] and Banna 2 in their arsenal.<ref name=UNFFMGCReportp454>{{Cite news|url=http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2009/09/15/UNFFMGCReport.pdf |title=Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, 2009, p. 454. |format=PDF |accessdate=2010-03-24|work=The Guardian|location=London}}</ref> Hamas and Islamic Jihad also manufactured a variety of [[improvised explosive device]]s (IEDs), some of which were anti-personnel bombs and others were planted on the sides of roads or underground to be activated against tanks and armored personnel carriers. According to ''The Jerusalem Post'', some of the IEDs were manufactured from medicine bottles transferred to the Gaza Strip as humanitarian aid by Israel.<ref>Yaakov Katz, [http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304770155&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Hamas threw 'medicine grenades' at IDF]. ''The Jerusalem Post'' 13-02-2009</ref> The same newspaper also reported that Hamas representatives said they were fighting with the aid of armored vehicles and weapons confiscated from the [[Palestinian National Authority]], given by Israel, the [[United States]] and other countries.<ref>Khaled Abu Toameh, [http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230733174237&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull "Hamas: We're using PA arms to battle IDF"], ''The Jerusalem Post'' 04-01-2009</ref>
  
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At least one Palestinian witness told an Italian reporter that on many roofs of the tall buildings that were hit by Israeli bombs, including UN building, there were rocket-launchers or Hamas look-outs.<ref name="Maximum 600 Palestinians died in Gaza">{{Cite news| url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1232292938156&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull| title=Maximum 600 Palestinians died in Gaza|date=2009-01-22| publisher= The Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref name="Gaza doctor refutes casualties reported in Cast Lead op">{{Cite news |url= http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/gaza-doctor-refutes-casualties-reported-in-cast-lead-op-1.268701 |title= Gaza doctor refutes casualties reported in Cast Lead op |date=2009-01-23 |newspaper=Haaretz |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref> On January 27, the Shin Bet released details given by Hamas captives, including the militants' use of mosques for weapon caches and military training. Militants admitted to the location of Hamas weapon storage sites, in tunnels, in the homes of activists, and in citrus groves and mosques, and told of theory instruction given in mosques as well.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/hamas-captives-tell-shin-bet-we-used-gaza-mosques-to-hide-arms-for-training-1.269046 |title=Hamas captives tell Shin Bet: We used Gaza mosques to hide arms, for training |author=Amos Harel |publisher=Haaretz |date=2009-01-28 |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref> Following the visit of the British Army veteran Colonel [[Tim Collins (British Army officer)|Tim Collins]] to the ruins of one of the mosques targeted by the IDF in Rafah, he said that in his view the evidencies of the secondary explosion, that could have indicated weapon's storage in the mosque, are present.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8470100.stm Celebrated Iraq war veteran's view of the Gaza conflict] BBC News, January 20, 2010</ref>
  
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====Palestinian rockets in Gaza====
  
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According to [[Human Right Watch]], On December 24, 2008, a rocket struck a bedroom of a family living in the [[Tel al-Hawa]] area in southern Gaza City, critically wounding one man. The brother of this victim told after the incident no armed group came to apologize. "I was next door in my home when this all happened. When one of those responsible tried to bargain for the shrapnel, I said that if no one took responsibility I will go to the courts, so Hamas came to me privately and admitted it." On December 26, 2008, a Palestinian rocket struck north of [[Beit Lahiya]], a house was hit killing two cousins and wounding another. The grandfather described the rocket as about one meter in length; according to Human Rights Watch examination the diameter of the pipe is 120&nbsp;mm. The grandfather said the rocket was taken by Hamas policemen for investigation: "After he left, the war started and we never heard from him again. We got the compensation given to all victims of the war."<ref name="Human Rights Watch, Rockets from Gaza"/>
  
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====Rocket attacks into Israel====
  
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{{See also|Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel|Palestinian political violence}}
  
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[[File:Beersheva kindergarten after rocket attack from Gaza.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Kindergarten]] classroom in Beersheba hit by [[BM-21 Grad|Grad]] rocket from Gaza<ref name="dec31_ynetnews" />]]
  
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After the initial Israeli aerial assault, Hamas quickly dispersed both its personnel and weapons and equipment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2009/me_israel0019_01_08.asp |title=War report: Israel's air force scored with intel, drone support; 'Hamas is not Hizubllah' |publisher=Worldtribune.com |date=2009-01-07 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> According to Human Rights Watch rockets from Gaza were fired from populated areas, an Islamic Jihad fighter said: "the most important thing is achieving our military goals.... We stay away from the houses if we can, but that's often impossible."<ref name="Human Rights Watch, Rockets from Gaza">{{cite web |title=Rockets from Gaza |url=http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/D7E5DD676BDCF47C8525760B004A4870 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |accessdate=17 December 2011}}</ref> According to BBC, Palestinian groups had been firing "in response to Israeli massacres".<ref name=bbc1309>{{cite web |title=Palestinian groups continue firing rockets "in response to Israeli massacres". |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-191450521/palestinian-groups-continue-firing.html |publisher=BBC |accessdate=17 December 2011}}</ref> The strike range of Hamas rockets had increased from 16&nbsp;km (9.9&nbsp;mi) to 40&nbsp;km (25&nbsp;mi) since early 2008 with the use of improved [[Qassam rocket|Qassam]] and [[BM-21|factory-made]] rockets.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/middleeastCrisis/idUSL6529388 "FACTBOX-Hamas's arsenal of rockets"], Reuters 06-01-2009</ref> These attacks resulted in civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web |author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/hamas-qassam.htm |title=Hamas Rockets |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Rockets reached major Israeli cities [[Ashdod]], Beersheba and [[Gedera]] for the first time, putting one-eighth of Israel's population in rocket range.<ref name="AP 2009-01-13">{{Cite news| author = Amy Teibel|coauthors = Ian Deitch|title = Despite Gaza toll, Israeli media focus on Israel|url = http://www.cleveland.com/world/index.ssf/2009/01/despite_gaza_toll_israeli_medi.html|agency = Associated Press|work = www.cleveland.com|publisher = The Plain Dealer (newspaper)|location = Cleveland, Ohio|date = January 13, 2009|accessdate = March 18, 2009}}</ref> On January 3, 2009 [[Ma'an News Agency]] reported: "The Al-Qassam Brigades, military wing of Hamas, said that after a week since the start of the 'Battle of Al-Furqan [the criterion]' it has managed to fire 302 rockets, at an average of 44 rockets daily."<ref name=bbc1309/> As of January 13, 2009, Palestinian militants had launched approximately 565 rockets and 200 mortars at Israel since the beginning of the conflict, according to Israeli security sources.<ref>{{cite news |author=Yair Yanga |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/shin-bet-565-rockets-200-mortar-shells-fired-at-israel-since-start-of-gaza-op-1.268043 |title=Shin Bet: Some 565 rockets, 200 mortar shells fired at Israel since start of Gaza op |publisher=Haaretz |date=13-01-2009 |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref> A source close to Hamas described the movement's use of stealth when firing: "They fired rockets in between the houses and covered the alleys with sheets so they could set the rockets up in five minutes without the planes seeing them. The moment they fired, they escaped, and they are very quick."<ref name=parsing>{{cite news |title=Parsing Gains of Gaza War |author=Ethan Bronner |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/19/world/middleeast/19assess.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 19, 2009 |accessdate=April 6, 2012}}</ref> It is reported that 102 rockets and 35 mortars were fired by Fatah, Hamas' chief rival.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1232292907174&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull| date=2009-01-19| accessdate=2009-01-20|title=Al-Aksa Brigades: We also fought IDF in Gaza| author=Khaled Abu Toameh| publisher=JPost.com (''The Jerusalem Post'')}}</ref>
  
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Besides the rockets fired by the [[Qassam Brigades]] of Hamas, other factions claimed responsibility for rockets fired into Israel and attacks on Israeli soldiers, including Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades (affiliated with Fatah), the Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, the Quds Brigades and the [[Popular Resistance Committees|Popular Resistance Councils]].<ref name=Bauer0123/> A Fatah official stated that the rocket attacks by his faction contradicted the official position of [[Mahmoud Abbas]], Fatah leader and President of the [[Palestinian National Authority]]. Abbas had called on all sides to cease hostilities unconditionally.
  
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Militants fired over 750 rockets and mortars from Gaza into Israel during the conflict.<ref name="jpost_total_rockets">{{Cite news|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231917083226&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull|title=Terrorists fire 18 rockets at Israel|date=2009-01-14|accessdate=2009-03-06}}</ref> Bersheeba and Gedera were the farthest areas hit by rocket or mortars.<ref name="jpost_total_rockets" /> The rockets killed three civilians and one IDF soldier and wounded 182 people, with another 584 people suffering from shock and anxiety.<ref name="Israeli MFA">{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Hamas+war+against+Israel/Israel_strikes_back_against_Hamas_terror_infrastructure_Gaza_27-Dec-2008.htm|title=Israel strikes back against Hamas terror infrastructure in Gaza|date=21 January 2009|publisher=Israeli MFA|accessdate=2009-03-06}}</ref> The rockets also caused property damage, including damage to three schools.<ref name="dec31_ynetnews">ynetnews [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3647765,00.html Rocket barrages hit Beersheba, Ashkelon; 5 lightly hurt], December 31, 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3647569,00.html Rockets reach Beersheba, cause damage], ''YNET'', December 30, 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3654153,00.html Rocket lands near Ashdod kindergarten; no injuries], ''YNET'', January 11, 2009.</ref> Senior Hamas official Mahmoud al-Zahar stated during the operation "they [Israeli forces] shelled everyone in Gaza.... They shelled children and hospitals and mosques, ... and in doing so, they gave us legitimacy to strike them in the same way."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/05/israel.gaza/index.html |title=Israeli military surrounds Gaza City, officials say |publisher=CNN|accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>
  
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Human Rights Watch noted in the open letter to [[Ismail Haniyeh]] that despite his Foreign Ministry stance as part of response to the [[Goldstone Report]], Palestinian armed groups remain responsible for firing rockets indiscriminately or deliberately at Israeli civilian objects. HRW also noted that Palestinian militants put Palestinian civilians at risk of Israeli counter-attacks by launching rockets from populated areas.<ref name="Hamas: Investigate Attacks on Israeli Civilians">{{cite web|url=http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/20/hamas-investigate-attacks-israeli-civilians |title=Hamas: Investigate Attacks on Israeli Civilians|publisher=Human Rights Watch |date=2009-10-20 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> The UN fact finding mission stated that the firing of rockets at Israel constituted a deliberate attack against the civilian population and was in violation of international law.<ref name=UNFFMGCReport_pdf/>
  
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After the war, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades revealed new rockets it used during Israel's military operation and published pictures of weapons ([[Tandem-charge|Tandem]] and [[RPG-29]] anti-armor rockets) that it could secretly smuggle to Gaza.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/11/content_12792206.htm |title=Hamas restrains from another war with Israel in Gaza|publisher=Xinhua|date=2010-01-11 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>
  
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Besides being hit with rockets fired from Gaza, Israel experienced other attacks along the borders with Lebanon and Syria.<ref>Rockets from Lebanon:
  
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* [http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231167307373&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Jpost] IDF on alert after Nahariya attack By Yaakov Katz, retrieved on January 8, 2009
  
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* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7817135.stm BBC], Rockets hit Israel from Lebanon
  
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* [http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/08/israel.rockets/index.html CNN] Lebanese PM condemns rocket attack on Israel
  
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* {{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/12/content_10642207.htm|title=Israeli soldiers come under fire at Syria border fence|publisher=Xinhua|date=11-01-2009|archivedate=2001-01-01-2009|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5dkkBiINU}}</ref>
  
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===Unilateral ceasefires===
  
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On January 17, Israeli officials announced a [[unilateralism|unilateral]] [[ceasefire]]. Israeli Prime Minister [[Ehud Olmert]] declared the ceasefire effective that night, at 00:00 GMT on January 18.<ref name="ceasefire">{{Cite news| title = Israel declares ceasefire in Gaza|publisher = BBC|date = January 17, 2009|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7835794.stm|accessdate = January 17, 2009}}</ref> The ceasefire consisted of two phases: "First a ceasefire is declared. If Hamas stops firing rockets then Israel pulls its forces out of the Gaza Strip. If rocket fire resumes then the IDF goes back in, this time with the international backing gained by having tried a truce." Olmert declared that the military objectives had been met.<ref name=haaretz18Jan>{{cite news |publisher=''Haaretz'' |title=Israel declares victory in Gaza, but at what cost? |author=Aluf Benn |date=18 January 2009 |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/analysis-israel-declares-victory-in-gaza-but-at-what-cost-1.268327 |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Keinon |first=Herb |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1232100163477&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |title=Jpost |publisher=Fr.jpost.com |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Hamas initially "vowed to fight on",<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSLG514136._CH_.2400|work=Reuters|title=Israel plans ceasefire, Hamas vows to fight on|author=Nidal al-Mughrabi|date=January 17, 2009|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=2009-01-17}}</ref> and responded that any continued Israeli presence in Gaza would be regarded as an act of war. Farzi Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman, said before the ceasefire began, "The occupier must halt his fire immediately and withdraw from our land and lift his blockade and open all crossings and we will not accept any one Zionist soldier on our land, regardless of the price that it costs."<ref name="ceasefire_rockets_bbc">{{Cite news| title = Rocket fire tests Gaza ceasefire|publisher = BBC|date = January 18, 2009|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7835981.stm|accessdate = January 18, 2009}}</ref> Palestinian militants resumed rocket fire into southern Israel the following Sunday morning, four of the six fired landed in or near [[Sderot]].<ref name="ceasefire_rockets_ynet">{{Cite news| title = 6 rockets, 3 mortars fired from Gaza|publisher = ynetnews|date = January 18, 2009|url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3657876,00.html|accessdate = January 18, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7835981.stm |title=Rockets threaten Gaza ceasefire |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-01-18 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> The Israeli military returned fire and launched an air strike against the rocket launching site in northern Gaza.<ref>{{cite news|agency=AFP |date= January 18, 2009 |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gsDq6OF2EPsiWRhxLymVUUKVcmvQ |title=AFP: First Israeli air strike on Gaza after unilateral truce: army |publisher=Google.com |accessdate=2010-03-24|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090122082136/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gsDq6OF2EPsiWRhxLymVUUKVcmvQ|archivedate=2009-01-22}}</ref>
  
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On January 18, [[Hamas]], [[Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine|Islamic Jihad]] and other paramilitias said they would stop launching rockets into Israel for one week and demanded "the withdrawal of the enemy forces from the Gaza Strip within a week, along with the opening of all the crossings for the entry of humanitarian aid, food and other necessities for our people in the Gaza Strip".<ref name=haaretz18Jan2>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/haniyeh-hamas-won-gaza-war-but-was-wise-to-declare-truce-1.268367 |author=Avi Issacharoff |title=Haniyeh: Hamas won Gaza war, but was wise to declare truce |publisher=Haaretz.com |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref><ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/18/israel.gaza/index.html Hamas, Israel set independent cease-fires]. CNN January 18, 2009</ref><ref name="BBC-Hamas-ceasefire">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7836205.stm Hamas announces ceasefire in Gaza], BBC, 2009-18-01</ref> Three days later, the last Israeli troops left Gaza.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/world/middleeast/22mideast.html?_r=1&scp=8&sq=israel%20gaza&st=cse|work=The New York Times|title=Israel Completes Gaza Withdrawal|first1=Ethan|last1=Bronner|first2=Alan|last2=Cowell|date=2009-01-22|accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref>
  
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Since the unilateral ceasefires were declared on January 17, militants have fired rockets and mortar shells from Gaza,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/at-least-six-gaza-rockets-hit-southern-israel-1.271104 |title=At least six Gaza rockets hit southern Israel |author=Yanir Yagna |publisher=Haaretz |date=28 February 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1235410720483 |title=Kassam rocket strikes Eshkol Region|work=The Jerusalem Post|accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> and the IDF has launched airstrikes against Gaza.<ref>{{Cite news| title = 'Five rockets' fired into Israel|publisher = BBC|date = February 28, 2009|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7916555.stm|accessdate = February 28, 2009}}</ref>
  
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====Continued negotiations====
  
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Egyptian mediators held discussions with Israel and Hamas about extending the cease-fire by a year or more. Hamas and Fatah met to allow both to play a role in rebuilding.<ref name="NYT0128">{{cite news |title=U.S. Envoy Urges 2 Sides to Fortify Gaza Truce |author=Kershner, Isabel and Ethan Bronner |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/world/middleeast/29mideast.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 29, 2009 |accessdate=January 28, 2009}}</ref> Israel began pressuring Egypt to do more to stop weapons smuggling into Gaza, the halting of which is one of Israel's central demands in extending a cease-fire. On 27 January 2009, [[Foreign Minister of Egypt]] [[Ahmed Aboul Gheit]] discouraged Britain, [[France]] and [[Germany]] from sending warships to patrol the waters off Gaza, which the three European nations felt could help halt seaborne smuggling. Gheit said such efforts would harm Europe's relations with the Arab world. Egypt also opposed proposals for European troops to be stationed on the border between Gaza and Egypt to monitor smuggling tunnels.<ref name="WP0128">Witte, Griff. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/27/AR2009012700260.html?hpid=topnews "Blast at Gaza Border Kills Israeli Soldier; Palestinian Farmer Killed by Gunfire".] ''The Washington Post'', January 28, 2009. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.</ref>
  
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Israel, along with many Western and some Arab countries, wanted international aid groups to control aid from donations around the world, so that Hamas would not receive credit for the rebuilding. To speed up reconstruction, Hamas agreed that it would not insist on collecting reconstruction money itself and would allow donated money to flow through different avenues based on the various alliances, although Hamas ultimately expected to administer the aid. But advisors to senior Hamas political leader [[Ismail Haniyeh]] said Israel's willingness to open the border for humanitarian aid only was unacceptable, as Hamas would need much more to rebuild its economy and provide relief for citizens. Haniyeh aides said the cease-fire is contingent on a full border opening.<ref name="NYT0128" />
  
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Shortly after becoming President of the United States, [[Barack Obama]] directed newly appointed special envoy to the Middle East [[George J. Mitchell]] to visit Israel, the West Bank, Egypt, Jordan, [[Turkey]] and [[Saudi Arabia]] for peace talks. Mitchell began his meetings in Cairo on January 27, 2009, and Obama said his visit was part of the President's campaign promise to listen to both sides of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and work toward a Middle East peace deal. Mitchell did not plan to talk to Hamas, but instead focus on talks with the more moderate [[Palestinian National Authority|Palestinian Authority]].<ref name="WP0128" /> A spokesman for Haniyeh said he respected Mitchell, but was disappointed with the envoy's decision not to hold discussions with Hamas.<ref name="NYT0128" />
  
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[[Ehud Olmert]] stated that Israel would not agree to a long term truce or lift the blockade on Gaza without the freeing of [[Gilad Shalit]], an IDF soldier held captive in Gaza since June 2006.<ref name="bbc_shalit_ceasefire">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7890294.stm|title=Israel puts terms on Gaza truce|date=February 14, 2009|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2009-02-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/hamas-idf-arrests-put-gilad-shalit-in-danger-1.272465 |title=Hamas: IDF arrests put Gilad Shalit in danger |agency=Haaretz Service and News Agencies |publisher=Haaretz |date=19 March 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Hamas demanded that Israel release 1,400 [[Palestinian prisoners]] in exchange for Shalit and such negotiations be kept separate from ceasefire negotiations.<ref name="bbc_truce_captives">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7896506.stm|title=Captive deal 'key to Gaza truce' |date=February 18, 2009|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2009-02-27}}</ref>
  
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====Post-war military assessment====
  
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The war was an Israeli [[tactical victory]] and a significant tactical defeat for Hamas.<ref name="nytimes.com">Ethan Bonner, [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/world/middleeast/24gaza.html Hamas Shifts From Rockets to Culture War] ''The New York Times'', July 24, 2009.</ref><ref>David Makovsky, [http://www.middle-east-policy.org/print.php?template=C05&CID=2997 Preliminary Assessment of Israel’s Operation Cast Lead]{{dead link|date=November 2013}} The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 23 January 2009</ref><ref name="haaretz.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/senior-shin-bet-official-hamas-completely-lost-gaza-war-1.5743 |title=Senior Shin Bet official: Hamas completely lost Gaza war |author=Amos Harel |newspaper=Haaretz |date=21 October 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Al-Qassam Brigades reported in "The outcome of al-Qassam operations during the Battle of ''al-Furqan''" they killed 102 Israeli soldiers. On 19 January 2009, a spokesperson for the group said on [[al-Arabiya]] "Israel lost 'at least 80 soldiers' in the fighting" and said about Hamas losses "only 48 fighters slain in Israel war". According to United Nations report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission of Human Rights Council, which was on General Assembly's agenda on 29 October 2009: "The large discrepancy in the data confirms the Mission's observations below in the report about the reliability of the information about the Gaza military operations posted on websites of al-Qassam and other Palestinian armed groups."<ref>{{cite web|title=Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission|url=http://unispal.un.org/pdfs/A64490.pdf|publisher=UN|accessdate=18 December 2011}}</ref> In November 2010, the Hamas Interior Minister acknowledged that around 700 militants part of Hamas and affiliated factions were killed in the war.<ref name="AFP 2010-11-01">{{cite news|title=Hamas says 300 fighters killed in Gaza war|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hF7u6SVbHfZSeLKnM97LlsaGWg_Q?docId=CNG.af5a1cb25e03ecc70924e5a7787c7aa3.831|agency=AFP|date=2010-11-01|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140130145115/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hF7u6SVbHfZSeLKnM97LlsaGWg_Q?docId=CNG.af5a1cb25e03ecc70924e5a7787c7aa3.831|archivedate=2014-01-30}}</ref>
  
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Several senior Hamas military commanders and politburo members were killed, as well as approximately 50 explosives experts.<ref name="jpost.com">{{cite news |last=Spyer |first=Jonathan |url=http://www.jpost.com/Features/FrontLines/Article.aspx?id=154525 |title=Hamas seeks new doctrine after Gaza War failures |publisher=Jerusalem Post |date=10 September 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Hamas experienced "widespread desertion" in the face of the Israeli advance.<ref name="jpost.com" /> Hamas also lost a very large amount of weaponry and equipment; key storage facilities were discovered under mosques and public buildings.<ref name="jpost.com"/> A former [[Shin Bet]] deputy director who co-authored a report on the war noted, "Hamas had planned to stand and fight, but the Iz al-Qassam Brigades proved unequal to the task ... and consequently they failed to match the public image Hamas has tried so hard to present of stalwart, proficient Islamic warriors."<ref name="haaretz.com" />
  
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In addition, the Israeli operation greatly curtailed years of Hamas rocket fire, returning a sense of normalcy to Southern Israel.<ref>Bronner, [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/world/middleeast/20mideast.html Painful Mideast Truth: Force Trumps Diplomacy] October 20, 2009.</ref> In the year before the war, Hamas had fired over 3,300 rockets at Israel's Gaza periphery towns. That number dropped to less than 300 in the ten months following the conflict.<ref>Kershner [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/world/middleeast/09israel.html Along Gaza, a Quiet (But Still Tense) Life] October 9, 2009.</ref>
  
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Defense analyst David Eshel stated, "The success of Operation Cast Lead in the densely populated Gaza Strip shows that an industrial military that coordinates operations among land, air and sea units, makes effective use of advanced technology, and shares intelligence and leads from the front can decisively defeat an asymmetrical enemy." He further noted, "Israel used a variety of tactics to outflank and defeat Hamas in its own territory. These included long-term planning, meticulous intelligence-gathering, deception and disinformation."<ref name='Aviation Week 2009-05-11'/> As a result of its poor performance, Hamas relieved at least two brigade commanders on Iranian advice, and reportedly stripped 100 fighters of their membership. The organization decided to initiate a thorough investigation of the conduct of its fighters during the operation.<ref name="jpost.com"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Issacharoff |first=Avi |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/hamas-dismisses-commanders-on-iran-order-1.277265 |title=Hamas dismisses commanders on Iran order |date=4 June 2009 |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref> Hamas' leadership modified its tactical doctrine. The Qassam Brigades intensified military training at its various training camps and military academy in the [[Nuseirat refugee camp]]. The new training was thought to be more offensive, with a focus on hitting the rear of an IDF force. [[Hezbollah]] operatives were suspected of involvement in the program. In contrast to the pre-war period, when Hamas openly displayed its capabilities, the nature of the program was kept classified.<ref name="jpost.com"/>
  
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The Israeli army said it destroyed about 80% of the tunnels between Gaza and Egypt that were being used to bring in weapons and rocket components. Residents in Rafah said they cleared away debris and discovered that many of the tunnels were intact, though they acknowledged the destruction of many.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aqps7qdeyKE0&refer=home |title=Gaza Tunnel Owners Renew Smuggling Under Egypt Border (Update1) |publisher=Bloomberg.com |date=2009-01-21 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>
  
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==Aftermath==
  
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Israel was victorious militarily, but its reputation was harmed.<ref name="Victorious, but vilified: Israel has 'destroyed its image and its soul'">{{Cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/victorious-but-vilified-israel-has-destroyed-its-image-and-its-soul-1418920.html|work=The Independent|location=London|title=Victorious, but vilified: Israel has 'destroyed its image and its soul'|first1=Kim|last1=Sengupta|first2=Donald|last2=MacIntyre|date=2009-01-18|accessdate=2010-05-03}}</ref> Hamas rejected the [[Quartet on the Middle East|Quartet]] demands to recognize Israel, accept [[Oslo accords|peace deals]] and abandon violence in exchange for an international recognition as Palestinian people representative. The international community continued to isolate Hamas (except for [[Iran]] and Syria).<ref name="Hamas rejects U.S. demand to recognize Israel">{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/28/content_10918470.htm |title=Hamas rejects U.S. demand to recognize Israel English Xinhua |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=2009-02-28 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> In the months following the war, Hamas suspended its use of rockets and shifted focus to winning support at home and abroad through cultural initiatives and public relations, with the aim to build a "cultural resistance". Hamas officials stated that "The current situation required a stoppage of rockets. After the war, the fighters needed a break and the people needed a break."<ref name="Hamas Shifts From Rockets to Culture War">[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/world/middleeast/24gaza.html?_r=2 Hamas Shifts From Rockets to Culture War]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}, ''The New York Times'', July 23, 2009</ref> Hamas also said that "rockets fired from Gaza were meant to hit military targets, but because they are unguided, they hit civilians by mistake."<ref name="ReferenceA">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8257446.stm Key excerpts: UN Gaza report] BBC Website 2009-09-15 Retrieved 2010-03-28</ref> Israeli Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center notes that Hamas' post-war policy of restraint has come under severe criticism from local radical Islamic organizations, which accused Hamas of abandoning the principle of jihad to strengthen its control over the Gaza Strip.<ref name="News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict July 21–28, 2009">[http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/ipc_e043.htm News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict July 21–28, 2009], ITIC, July 2009</ref> Israeli officials say that Hamas military commanders have recognized that their decision to take off their fatigues and don civilian clothing a few days into the fighting was a mistake that might have damaged morale and was perceived by Gazans as indicative that they had lost control of the territory; Hamas militants are now under orders to stay in uniform even if this makes them more easily targeted in Israeli air strikes.<ref name="Hamas smuggling new arsenal into Gaza">{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/hamas-smuggling-new-arsenal-into-gaza-1.274557 |title=Hamas smuggling new arsenal into Gaza |author=Amos Harel |newspaper=Haaretz |date=22 April 2009 |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref>
  
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By the end of 2009, in an attempt to cut smuggling tunnels, Egypt had begun to build [[Egypt-Gaza barrier|an underground steel wall]] along its border with the Gaza Strip.<ref name="Egypt starts building steel wall on Gaza Strip border">{{Cite news|last=Fraser |first=Christian |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8405020.stm |title=Egypt starts building steel wall on Gaza Strip border |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-12-09 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> The other steps include restrictions on movement through the Rafah crossing and the presence in Egypt of persons considered close to Hamas, and the expulsion of relatives of Hamas figures studying in Egypt.<ref name="Behind the Egypt-Hamas Flare-up">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/14/opinion/main6098600.shtml |title=Behind the Egypt-Hamas Flare-up |publisher=CBS News |date=2010-01-15 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> Egypt imposes [[naval blockade]] on its Gaza sea border.<ref name="Hamas accuses Egypt of killing Palestinian fisherman">{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-05/12/c_13290649.htm |title=Hamas accuses Egypt of killing Palestinian fisherman |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=2010-05-12 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> There were reports Egypt had severed all diplomatic ties with Hamas, which Hamas denied.<ref name="Hamas rebuffs rumors of severed ties with Egypt">{{cite news|url=http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=284972 |title=Maan News Agency: Hamas rebuffs rumors of severed ties with Egypt |publisher=Maannews.net |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref>
  
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===Propaganda and psychological warfare===
  
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====Hamas====
  
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Before and during the conflict, Hamas' senior representatives released a number of statements designed to avert Israeli decision-makers from launching any military operation in Gaza and to cause demoralization among Israelis. Before the end of the pre-conflict ceasefire, Hamas boasted that it had countless surprises awaiting Israeli troops, should they advance.<ref name="Psychological Tricks to Demoralize the Enemy">{{Cite news| title=Psychological Tricks to Demoralize the Enemy| url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,601694,00.html| publisher=Spiegel| date=January 16-2009}}</ref> Hamas representatives threatened on several occasions to abduct Israeli soldiers, and during the ground invasion tried to spread rumors that it actually had captured or killed more Israeli soldiers.<ref name="Israel's Gaza war adds psychological operations">{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28608585/ |title=Israel's Gaza war adds psychological operations|publisher=MSNBC |date=2009-01-11 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>
  
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On a video broadcast on Al-Aqsa TV on January 10, showing the names of Israeli towns hit by rockets, it was implied Tel-Aviv is the next target and that 'all options are open'.<ref name="Operation Cast Lead Update No 12">{{Cite news| title=Operation Cast Lead Update No 12| url=http://www.rightsidenews.com/200901133351/global-terrorism/operation-cast-lead-update-no-12.html| publisher=IITC}}</ref> Also, Hamas sent messages in Hebrew to Israeli citizens' mobile phones warning: "Rockets on all cities, shelters will not protect you."<ref name="Hamas leader killed in airstrike as Israelis reject ceasefire call">{{Cite news| title=Hamas leader killed in airstrike as Israelis reject ceasefire call| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5429904.ece| publisher=[[Times Online]]| date=02-01-2009|location=London|first=James|last=Hider|accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref><ref name="guardian-psychwar" />
  
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Hamas instrumentalized the abducted Israeli soldier [[Gilad Shalit]] as a form of psychological weapon, declaring that he had been wounded by Israeli fire, later announcing that his condition was no longer of interest to them.<ref name="Psychological Tricks to Demoralize the Enemy" />
  
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According to IDF spokesman, Hamas' ruses in the battlefield included booby traps throughout Gaza's neighborhoods, such as mannequins placed at apartment entrances and rigged to explode when the soldiers approach.<ref name="Israel's Gaza war adds psychological operations" />
  
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Arab television stations reported Hamas-provided statistics for Israeli casualties on the assumption that Israel is distorting its own figures of soldiers killed and wounded.<ref name="The unreported battle with Hamas: psychological warfare">{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/the-unreported-battle-with-hamas-psychological-warfare-1.268007 |title=The unreported battle with Hamas: psychological warfare |author=Nir Hasson |coauthor=Yoav Stern |newspaper=Haaretz |date=13 January 2009 |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref>
  
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A study by the [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] notes that Hamas propaganda both rejected Hamas responsibility for the fighting and used it to attack the Palestinian Authority.<ref name="AnthonyHCordesman" />
  
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Dr. Tal Pavel from Israeli think-tank [[International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism]] (ICT) said that Hamas uses its Web sites to make comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany, portraying Israel as a destructive, oppressive regime afraid of Hamas rockets raining on Tel Aviv.<ref name="The unreported battle with Hamas: psychological warfare" />
  
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====Israel====
  
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The day before the beginning of the offensive on December 27 the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] pulled troops back from the border and used its radio channels to broadcast talk of a "lull" to achieve a disinformation coup to lure Hamas fighters out of hiding.<ref name="ap-msnbc-psych-war">{{Cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28608585/|title=Israel's Gaza war adds psychological operations|date=2009-01-11|publisher=Associated Press via MSNBC|accessdate=2009-02-19}}</ref>
  
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A broadcaster in Islamic Jihad's Voice of Jerusalem radio station in Gaza City reported that IDF have been breaking into his station signal "least once an hour" during conflict intensification to broadcast messages to Gaza's population that their problems were due to Hamas. The Israelis also dropped leaflets with similar messages and contact info to report about the whereabouts of militant leaders and weapons caches.<ref name="ap-msnbc-psych-war" /> The leaflets also noted, "The Israeli army will respond if the rocket fire continues."<ref name="guardian-psychwar">{{Cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/03/israelandthepalestinians-middleeast |title= Text messages and phone calls add psychological aspect to warfare in Gaza|coauthors=Hazem Balousha in Gaza City and Toni O'Loughlin in Jerusalem |date=2009-01-03|publisher=The Guardian|accessdate=2009-02-12|location=London}}</ref> In war zones, leaflets warned local residents that they had to flee. It also warned residents that their homes would be targeted if they were located in an area of possible target.<ref name = "Jazeera 2009-01-03">{{Cite news| url = http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/20091316557303315.html|publisher = Al Jazeera|title = Israel continues Gaza assault|date = 2009-01-03|accessdate = 2009-01-03|location = Doha, QA}}</ref> Dr. Yaniv Levitan of the [[University of Haifa]] said that the aim of the flyers was not to demoralize the civil population, but to implant recognition in hearts and minds that Hamas has failed, that there is an option of choosing another path.<ref name="The unreported battle with Hamas: psychological warfare" />
  
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IDF spokespersons often reported that scores of demoralized Hamas fighters had been observed deserting. According to Ephraim Kam, deputy head of the Institute of National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, the claim could not be confirmed but it strengthened the Israeli population's will to continue and undermined the confidence of Hamas in Gaza.<ref name="Psychological Tricks to Demoralize the Enemy" />
  
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There was a mistrust of phone calls warning messages to people that they have "just minutes to evacuate before they bomb the house". According to a human rights lawyer at the [[Palestinian Center for Human Rights]] (PCHR), despite the hundreds of phone calls to families warning their house is about to be blown up, only 37 were destroyed, presumably as of the January 3 date.<ref name="guardian-psychwar" />
  
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==Controversies regarding tactics==
  
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{{Merge to|Controversial tactics in the Gaza War|date=January 2012}}
  
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{{Main|Controversial tactics in the Gaza War}}
  
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Both Israel and Hamas were accused of using controversial military tactics during the 2008–2009 Gaza War.
  
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===Controversial tactics allegedly used by Hamas===
  
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====Civilians as human shields====
  
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Israel maintains that Hamas uses civilians, and especially children, as [[human shield]]s, as a part of its war doctrine. They said that Hamas repeatedly called upon Palestinian civilians to gather near buildings where they feared that the IDF was about to launch air-strikes against Hamas targets. They documented several examples of what they described as "calls in the Hamas controlled Gaza media for Palestinians civilians to serve as human shields". They released footage allegedly showing Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV calling upon children to form a human shield at various structures in Gaza to prevent anticipated IDF airstrikes, and an Al-Aqsa TV News broadcast describing how a crowd of civilians gathered on the roof of Abu Bilal al-Ja'abeer to stop the IDF from executing an airstrike.<ref name="MFA">{{cite web | url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Hamas+war+against+Israel/Hamas+exploitation+of+civilians+as+human+shields+-+Photographic+evidence.htm | title=Hamas exploitation of civilians as human shields: Photographic evidence | publisher=Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs | date=6 Mar 2008 | accessdate=April 4, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DhFyx8aa120w&v=hFyx8aa120w&gl=US | title=Hamas Exploitation of Civilians as Human Shields | publisher=Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs | work=YouTube | date=11/01/2009 | accessdate=April 4, 2012}}</ref>
  
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The [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] released a video taken by an [[UAV]] drone during the war, saying that it showed a Hamas militant launching a rocket from a roof of a residential house and then leaving surrounded by children to avoid being targeted by the IDF.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vHDyuSTneA Cast Lead Video: Hamas Terrorist uses Children as Human Shield], [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] channel at YouTube.</ref> Later, the IDF and [[Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] compiled a film accusing Hamas of a systematic use of civilian infrastructure and civilians as a [[human shield]]. The film includes photos and videos documenting Hamas' uses of a human shield, as well as incitement of children and using them for paramilitary activity and even as [[suicide bomber]]s.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70Oqo_wmuGo Hamas Exploitation of Civilians as Human Shields], 2009 - [[Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] channel at YouTube.</ref> Israeli Air Force videos allegedly show terrorists using groups of children as cover to escape from combat areas and joining groups of children.<ref name="ReferenceC">[http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/g_report_e1.pdf]{{dead link|date=November 2013}} Hamas and the Terrorist Threat from the Gaza Strip The Main Findings of the Goldstone ReportVersus the Factual Findings, [[Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center]].</ref>
  
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The former commander of the British forces in Afghanistan Col. [[Richard Kemp]] testified at UN Human Rights Council 12th Special Session that Israel encountered an "enemy that deliberately positioned its military capability behind the human shield of the civilian population".<ref>Goodenough, Patrick. (2009-10-16) [http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/55622 Israelis Took Unprecedented Steps to Safeguard Civilians, Says British Officer]. CNSnews.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref><ref>[http://www.unwatch.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=bdKKISNqEmG&b=1313923&ct=7536409 U.K. Commander Challenges Goldstone Report.] UN Watch. Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref>
  
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The commander of the military-terrorist wing of the PFLP-GC in the Gaza Strip stated in an interview that some areas did not present a problem because of the "population and building density" that would "provide the resistance with a shield".<ref name="ReferenceC"/>
  
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Professor Newton, expert in laws of armed conflict testifying in front of United Nations Fact Finding Mission criticised a statement by a Hamas brigade commander who said, "The entire people of Gaza are the combatants and therefore, it is appropriate for us to issue warnings and then whether – if, even if they disregard them, to occupy their basement or their house or their backyard." Professor Newton stated that the legal obligation was to never commingle civilian and military objectives.<ref name="Public hearings – Geneva, Afternoon Session of 7 July 2009"/>
  
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The Goldstone Report denounced a statement issued by a senior Hamas figure before Operation Cast Lead that explained Hamas' logic behind the use of women, children and the elderly as human shields.<ref name="ReferenceC"/>
  
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[[File:Hamas Hides Launcher in Mosque During Cast Lead.jpg|thumb|Photo by IDF: "Hamas Hides Launcher in Mosque During Cast Lead"]]
  
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====Combatant use of civilian clothes====
  
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Several reports stated that Hamas fighters shed their uniforms shortly after the start of the ground incursion.<ref name="Cracks in Hamas">{{Cite news |url=http://www.jpost.com/JerusalemReport/Article.aspx?id=129784 |title= Cracks in Hamas |date=2009-01-18 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Report |author=Ehud Ya'ari |accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref><ref name=cbsnews>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/19/world/main4734072.shtml In Gaza, Hamas Struggles To Restore Order], AP, January 19, 2009</ref> One account stated that the police had also been reportedly ordered to take off their uniforms.<ref name=nytimestraps/> Of the incidents investigated by the UN mission only one clearly involved Palestinian combatants. In that incident the eyewitness said that three Palestinian fighters trapped in a house by Israeli troops were "wearing military camouflage and headbands of the al-Qassam Brigades".<ref name=UNreportp146>[http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2009/09/15/UNFFMGCReport.pdf Image.guardian.co.uk], pp. 146, 283.</ref> In another instance Hamada Al-Samouni, a survivor of the [[Zeitoun incident]], said he had seen the bodies of eight Hamas fighters dressed in civilian clothing lying in the streets around Zeitoun.<ref name=nytimes_study/>
  
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In the Shifa hospital, Hamas militants wearing civilian clothing executed several people awaiting trial who were accused of collaboration with Israel. One person was shot in the left side of the head after a pretence that he was being transferred to another ward.<ref>{{cite news |title=No Early End Seen to ‘All-Out War’ on Hamas in Gaza |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/world/middleeast/30mideast.html?_r=3 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 29, 2008}}</ref> The UN Mission did note that reports by other human rights groups indicate that not all members of Palestinians armed groups were always dressed in military uniform.<ref name=UNreportp146/>
  
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The Goldstone report concluded that there was credible indication that members of Palestinian armed groups were not always dressed in a way that distinguished them from civilians.<ref name=UNFFMGCReport_pdf/>
  
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====Military use of densely populated areas====
  
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[[File:Intelmaps1.jpg|thumb|Hamas Deployment in Northern Sector of Gaza City]]
  
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[[File:Intelmaps2.jpg|thumb|Hamas Deployment in the "Tel-Zaatar" Region]]
  
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''The New York Times'' quotes a study published by the Israel-based [[Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center]], charging Hamas with methodically building its military infrastructure in the heart of population centers. According to the study, Hamas not only hides among the population, but has made a main component of its combat strategy "channeling" the army into the densely populated areas to fight.<ref name=nytimes_study>{{Cite news|title=Warnings Not Enough for Gaza Families |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/world/middleeast/06scene.html?_r=1&hp |date=January 6, 2009|newspaper = The New York Times|first1=Taghreed|last1=El-Khodary|first2=Isabel|last2=Kershner|accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref> During the Gaza War, Hamas invested great effort in preventing civilians from leaving neighborhoods that were in the line of fire and letting them flee to the south of the Strip.<ref name="Cracks in Hamas" />
  
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Israel accused Hamas of storing weapons in civilian facilities and protected places such as mosques and schools. In addition, Hamas [[booby-trap]]ped civilian building, schools and mosques as part of its battle plan against Israeli ground raid. On January 11, 2009, the IDF released a video showing booby-trapped [[zoo]] and school.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI1q3etFX2k&feature=autoplay&list=PL8DA1957BBBC484DF&lf=plpp_video&playnext=1 Hamas Booby Trapped School and Zoo 11 Jan. 2009], IDF channel, YouTube.</ref>
  
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The IDF stated that rockets, explosives and other arms were found in a mosque in Jabalya and documented how a factory manufacturing dozens of Kassam rockets a day was located in the basement and first floor of a two-storey residential building.<ref name="MFA"/>
  
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After Israeli forces fired shells near a UN school in Gaza killing around 30 people, Israel's military said the shelling was in response to mortar fire from within the school and asserted that Hamas were using civilians as cover. They stated that the dead near the school included Hamas members of a rocket launching cell. Two residents of the area confirmed that a group of militants were firing mortar shells from near the school and identified two of the victims as Hamas militants.<ref>{{cite news|title=Israel OK's Gaza "Humanitarian Corridor"|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-202_162-4701206.html|publisher=CBS|accessdate=November 4, 2009}}</ref>
  
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The Goldstone report concluded that there was evidence of the presence of Palestinian armed groups in residential areas. It found indications that Palestinian armed groups launched rockets from urban areas and that the question remained whether this was done with the specific intent of shielding the combatants from counter-attack. The Mission was not been able to obtain any direct evidence on this question and stated that the Israeli government had not produced any evidence to support its claim that Palestinian combatants "mingle routinely with civilians in order to cover their movements". The report noted that because of the densely populated nature of the northern half of the Gaza strip, once the Israeli forces gained control of the outlying areas in the first few days of the ground invasion, most, if not all, locations still accessible to the Palestinian militants would have been in urban areas. From a legal perspective it said that the launching of attacks close to civilian buildings would have unnecessarily exposed the civilian population of Gaza and violated the customary rules of international humanitarian law and the right to life of the endangered civilians.<ref name=UNFFMGCReport_pdf/> According to the book ''The Goldstone Report 'Reconsidered' '', a compilation of essays authored by legal scholars and published by [[NGO Monitor]], these conclusions were false and largely based on unverified claims made by NGOs.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4145191,00.html Should Goldstone be forgiven?]</ref><ref>[http://www.amazon.com/The-Goldstone-Report-Reconsidered-Critical/dp/9659179308 The Goldstone Report 'Reconsidered': A Critical Analysis ISBN 9659179308]</ref>
  
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====Military use of medical facilities and uniforms====
  
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An IDF investigation concluded that Hamas forced the [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|Red Crescent]] to hand over medic and nurse uniforms for its operatives and commandeered ambulances for fighters transportation during the War. Palestinian civilians living in Gaza detailed Hamas' attempts to hijack ambulances and the wearing of paramedic uniforms by Hamas fighters. An ambulance driver registered with and trained by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society spoke of Hamas' efforts to "lure the ambulances into the heart of a battle to transport fighters to safety" and the hijacking of the al-Quds Hospital's fleet of ambulances.<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite news |url=http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=130344 |title=Maximum 600 Palestinians died in Gaza |date=2009-01-22 |publisher=The Jerusalem Post |accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref><ref name=JpostHaniyehHid>{{cite news |last=Katz |first=Yaakov |title='Haniyeh hid in hospital during Gaza op' |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=139895 |publisher=The Jerusalem Post |accessdate=2009-04-22}}</ref><ref name="Hamas tried to hijack ambulances during Gaza war">{{cite news| url= http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/hamas-tried-to-hijack-ambulances-during-war/2009/01/25/1232818246374.html| title= Hamas tried to hijack ambulances during Gaza war| date=2009-01-29| publisher=SMH}}</ref><ref name="Weighing Crimes and Ethics in the Fog of Urban Warfare">{{cite news| url= http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/17/world/middleeast/17israel.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all | title=Weighing Crimes and Ethics in the Fog of Urban Warfare | date=2009-01-16| newspaper=The New York Times | first=Steven | last=Erlanger | accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref>
  
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The IDF claimed that Hamas operated a command and control center inside [[Al-Shifa Hospital|Shifa Hospital]] in Gaza City throughout the War, and that Hamas field commanders exploited the daily cessation in fighting that the IDF established for humanitarian purposes to receive instructions from senior Hamas officials. Addressing the Israeli cabinet, an intelligence official claimed that senior members of Hamas sought refuge in the sub-level floors believing that Israel would not target them for fear that such a strike would invariably lead to heavy collateral damage to the hospital patients in the upper floors.<ref name="shifa">{{cite news |author=Amos Harel |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/sources-hamas-leaders-hiding-in-basement-of-israel-built-hospital-in-gaza-1.267940 |title=Hamas leaders hiding in basement of Israel-built hospital in Gaza |newspaper=Haaretz |date=12 January 2009 |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref>
  
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Next to the hospital, Militants set up posts that were used for the firing of mortars. Underneath a mosque that was located alongside the hospital was discovered a tunnel leading to the maternity ward, which was used by Hamas operatives to move undetected. After an Israeli airstrike on the central prison, which resulted in prisoners being released into the streets, several of the 115 prisoners accused of collaboration with Israel who had not yet been tried were executed by Hamas militants wearing civilian clothes in the Shifa hospital compound.<ref>{{cite news |title=No Early End Seen to ‘All-Out War’ on Hamas in Gaza |author=Ethan Bronner and Taghreed El-Khodary |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/world/middleeast/30mideast.html?_r=1 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 30, 2008 |accessdate=April 9, 2012}}</ref><ref name="10 Gazan hospitals">{{cite news |last=Katz |first=Yaakov |title='10 Gazan hospitals used by Hamas in Cast Lead' |url=http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=170992 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=03/15/2010 |accessdate=April 9, 2012}}</ref>
  
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The [[Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center]], an Israel-based group with close ties to the Israeli military establishment,<ref name=nytimes_study/> reported that Hamas made extensive use of the Al-Fahoura Medical Centre and that they established a military camp and training base next to it. The ITIC released aerial pictures showing tunnels dug around the building and the medical centre and that the area surrounding the hospital was heavily mined. Rockets were launched in close proximity of the centre. The ITIC report stated that Hamas used 10 Gazan hospitals for launching rockets at Israeli towns and for attacking IDF troops.<ref name="10 Gazan hospitals" />
  
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Hamas also set up a command centre within a children's hospital located in the Nasser neighbourhood of Gaza City, which was used by top Hamas leadership on the night of December 27. Senior Hamas commanders also set up a command center in a Red Crescent Society clinic in Khan Yunis.<ref name=JpostHaniyehHid /><ref name="10 Gazan hospitals" />
  
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An IDF probe, released on April 22, 2009, stated that a UN vehicle was attacked by Israeli forces because a Palestinian anti-tank squad was being unloaded from the vehicle.<ref name=JpostHaniyehHid />
  
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Amnesty International rejected the charges by Israel that Hamas had systematically used medical facilities, vehicles and uniforms as a cover, stating that no evidence had been provided proving such actions.<ref name=Jpost0202>{{Cite news| url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443696703&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull| title= Amnesty accuses Israel of reckless use of weapons| date=2009-02-02| publisher=JPost}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref> Further, [[Magen David Adom]]'s submission to the UN Mission investigating the war stated "there was no use of PRCS ambulances for the transport of weapons or ammunition ... [and] there was no misuse of the emblem by PRCS."<ref name=UNFFMGCReportp144>{{Cite news|url=http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2009/09/15/UNFFMGCReport.pdf |title=Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, 2009, p. 144. |format=PDF |accessdate=2010-03-24|work=The Guardian|location=London}}</ref>
  
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Following its investigations the Goldstone report concluded that it "did not find any evidence to support the allegations that hospital facilities were used by the Gaza authorities or by Palestinian armed groups to shield military activities and that ambulances were used to transport combatants or for other military purposes".<ref name=UNFFMGCReport_pdf/>
  
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====White phosphorus shell fired into Israel====
  
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The Israeli newspaper ''Haaretz'' reported that during the conflict, Hamas fired a white phosphorus shell into Israel, which exploded in an open area in the Eshkol Area in the Western Negev, causing no damage or casualties.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/for-the-first-time-gaza-militants-fire-phosphorus-shell-at-israel-1.268126 |title=For the first time, Gaza militants fire phosphorus shell at Israel |author=Yanir Yagna| publisher=Haaretz.com |date=January 14, 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-08}}</ref>
  
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===Controversial tactics allegedly used by Israel===
  
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====Disproportionate force====
  
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Israel was widely criticised by human rights groups for using heavy firepower and causing hundreds of civilian casualties.<ref name="BBC 2010-01-29">{{cite news|title=Goldstone report: Israel and Palestinians respond to UN|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8487301.stm|accessdate=27 January 2011|publisher=BBC|date=29 January 2010}}</ref> A group of soldiers who took part in the conflict echoed the criticism through both the Israeli NGO [[Breaking the Silence (non-governmental organization)|Breaking the Silence]] and a special report by Israeli filmmaker [[Nurit Kedar]] that was shown on Britain's Channel 4 in January 2011.<ref name="The Telegraph 2011-01-23"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Israel soldiers speak out on Gaza|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8149464.stm|accessdate=30 January 2011|publisher=BBC|date=15 July 2009}}</ref> The [[United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict]] concluded that the Israeli military operation was directed at the people of Gaza as a whole, in furtherance of an overall and continuing policy aimed at punishing the Gaza population, and in a deliberate policy of [[military necessity|disproportionate force]] aimed at the civilian population.<ref name="BBC 2009-09-15">{{cite news|title=Key excerpts: UN Gaza report|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8257446.stm|accessdate=27 January 2011|publisher=BBC|date=15 September 2009}}</ref> Israel has said that operational orders emphasised [[proportionality (international humanitarian law)|proportionality]] and humanity while the importance of [[Civilian casualty ratio#Israel in the Gaza War|minimising harm]] to civilians was made clear to soldiers.<ref name="The Telegraph 2011-01-23">{{cite news |title=Israel aimed to 'cleanse' Gaza neighbourhoods in 2008 invasion |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/8276943/Israel-aimed-to-cleanse-Gaza-neighbourhoods-in-2008-invasion.html |accessdate=27 January 2011 |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=23 January 2011 |location=London |first=Alex |last=Thomson}}</ref> Retired U.S. Army colonel [[Douglas Macgregor]] gave his opinion as: "They went in heavy, with lots of firepower. But at the same time, because of good intel and other improvements, they were able to be selective and cut down on collateral damage."<ref name="DefenseNews 2009-03-23">{{Cite news |first=Barbara |last=Opall-Rome |title=Adapting Artillery to Urban War |date=2009-03-23 |url =http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4001228 |work =DefenseNews |accessdate=2009-08-06}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref>
  
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====IDF use of human shields====
  
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On March 24, a report from the UN team responsible for the protection of children in war zones was released, it found "hundreds" of violations of the rights of children and accused Israeli soldiers of using children as [[human shields]], bulldozing a home with a woman and child still inside, and shelling a building they had ordered civilians into a day earlier.<ref name="unchildren">{{cite news |title=Israel army 'used human shields' |publisher=BBC |date=2009-03-24 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7960824.stm}}</ref> One case involved using an 11-year-old boy as a human shield, by forcing him to enter suspected buildings first and also inspect bags. The report also mentioned the boy was used as a shield when Israeli soldiers came under fire.<ref name="unchildren"/><ref name='BShield'>{{cite news | first=Donald | last=Macintyre | title=UN accuses Israeli troops of using boy, 11, as human shield | date=2009-03-24 | url =http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/un-accuses-israeli-troops-of-using-boy-11-as-human-shield-14240116.html | work =Belfast Telegraph | accessdate = 2009-03-26}}</ref> The Guardian has also received testimony from three Palestinian brothers aged 14, 15, and 16, who all claimed to have been used as human shields.<ref name="GShield">{{cite video |people= Clancy Chassay|date= 2009-03-23|title= Palestinian brothers: Israel used us as human shields in Gaza war |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/23/gaza-human-shields-claim | work=The Guardian | location=London | accessdate=2010-05-05}}</ref>
  
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The UK newspaper ''The Guardian'' conducted an investigation of its own, which, according to the paper, uncovered evidence of war crimes including the use of Palestinian children as human shields.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/23/israel-gaza-war-crimes-guardian | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Guardian investigation uncovers evidence of alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza | first=Clancy | last=Chassay | date=2009-03-24 | accessdate=2010-05-05}}</ref>
  
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The UN fact-finding mission investigated four incidents in which Palestinian civilians were coerced, blindfolded, handcuffed and at gunpoint to enter houses ahead of Israeli soldiers during military operations. The mission confirmed the continued use of this practice with published testimonies of Israeli soldiers who had taken part in the military operations. The mission concluded that these practices amounted to using civilians as human shields in breach of international law. Some civilians were also questioned under threat of death or injury to extract information about Palestinian combatants and tunnels, constituting a further violation of international humanitarian law.<ref name=UNFFMGCReport_pdf/>
  
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====White phosphorus====
  
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[[File:White phosphorus-Gaza-2009.jpg|thumb|left|Israel used [[white phosphorus]] munitions during the conflict<ref name="AJ Gaza White Phosphorus">{{Cite news|url=http://cc.aljazeera.net/asset/language/english/gaza-white-phosphorous|title=Gaza White Phosphorus|date=2009-01-11|publisher=Al Jazeera|accessdate=19 February 2010}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref>]] There were numerous reports of [[white phosphorus]] being used by the IDF during the conflict, which was initially denied by Israel. On January 12 it was reported that more than 50 phosphorus burns victims were in Nasser Hospital. On January 16 the [[United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East|UNRWA]] headquarters was hit with phosphorus munitions.<ref name="Israel admits using white phosphorus in attacks on Gaza" /> As a result of the hit, the compound was set ablaze.<ref name="Israel reprimands top officers over UN compound strike" /> On completion of the three-day Israeli withdrawal (January 21) an Israeli military spokeswoman said that shells containing phosphorus had been used in Gaza but said that they were used legally as a method to provide a smokescreen.<ref name="Israel admits using white phosphorus in attacks on Gaza">[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5575070.ece "Israel admits using white phosphorus in attacks on Gaza"] The Times January 24, 2009.</ref> The IDF reiterated their position on January 13 saying that it used weapons "in compliance with international law, while strictly observing that they be used according to the type of combat and its characteristics".<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=129152 |title='IDF white phosphorus use not illegal' |date=13 January 2009 |publisher=The Jerusalem Post |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> On March 25, 2009, the [[United States]]-based human rights organization Human Rights Watch published a 71 page report titled "Rain of Fire, ''Israel's Unlawful Use of White Phosphorus in Gaza'' and said that Israel's usage of the weapon was illegal.<ref name=RainofFire>{{cite web |url=http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2009/03/25/rain-fire |title=Rain of Fire: Israel's Unlawful Use of White Phosphorus in Gaza |date=25 March 2009 |accessdate=6 June 2012}} [http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/iopt0309webwcover.pdf PDF]</ref> Donatella Rovera, Amnesty's researcher on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories said that such extensive use of this weapon in Gaza's densely populated residential neighbourhoods is inherently indiscriminate. "Its repeated use in this manner, despite evidence of its indiscriminate effects and its toll on civilians, is a war crime," she said.<ref>[http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/israeli-armys-use-white-phosphorus-gaza-clear-undeniable-20090119 Israel used white phosphorus in Gaza civilian areas]. Amnesty International (19 January 2009) Retrieved 30 May 2011</ref> The Goldstone report accepted that white phosphorus is not illegal under international law but did find that the Israelis were "systematically reckless in determining its use in built-up areas". It also called for serious consideration to be given to the banning of its use as an obscurant.<ref name="Goldstone Report" />
  
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After watching footage of Israeli troop deployments on television, a British soldier who completed numerous combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Intelligence Corps defended the Israeli Army's use of white phosphorus. The soldier noted, "White phosphorus is used because it provides an instant smokescreen, other munitions can provide a smokescreen but the effect is not instant. Faced with overwhelming enemy fire and wounded comrades, every commander would choose to screen his men instantly, to do otherwise would be negligent."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/3286561/a-british-soldiers-view-of-operation-cast-lead.thtml |title=A British soldier's view of Operation Cast Lead |publisher=Spectator.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref>
  
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Colonel Lane, a military expert testifying in front of the fact-finding mission in July 2009, told that white phosphorus is used for smoke generation to hide from the enemy. He stated, "The quality of smoke produced by white phosphorus is superb; if you want real smoke for real coverage, white phosphorus will give it to you."<ref name="Public hearings – Geneva, Afternoon Session of 7 July 2009">[http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/9/docs/2009.07.07PM_Session.doc Public hearings – Geneva, Afternoon Session of 7 July 2009], UNHRC</ref>
  
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Professor Newton, expert in laws of armed conflict testifying in front of the committee, said that in an urban area, where potential perils are snipers, explosive devices and trip wires, one effective way to mask forces' movement is by white phosphorus. In certain cases, he added, such choice of means would be less harmful for civilian population than other munitions, provided that the use of white phosphorus withstands the proportionality test. In discussing the principle of proportionality he said that the legality of using white phosphorus in an urban setting could only be decided on a case by case basis taking into account "the precise circumstances of its use, not in general, generically, but based on that target, at that time". He stressed that the humanitarian implications were vital in this assessment giving the example that using white phosphorus on a school yard would have different implications to its use on another area. He also said that in his view white phosphorus munition is neither chemical nor incendiary weapon and is not intended to cause damage. He said its use was not prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention.<ref name="Public hearings – Geneva, Afternoon Session of 7 July 2009"/>
  
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An article by Mark Cantora examining the legal implications of the use of white phosphorus munitions by the IDF, published in 2010 in the ''[[Gonzaga Journal of International Law]]'', argues that Israel's use of white phosphorus in Gaza was technically legal under existing international humanitarian laws and "Therefore, it is imperative for the international community to convene a White Phosphorus Convention Conference in order to address these issues and fill this substantial gap in international humanitarian law."<ref>Mark Cantora, Israel and White Phosphorus During Operation Cast Lead: A Case Study in Adherence to Inadequate Humanitarian Laws, 13:1 ''Gonzaga Journal of International Law'' (2010), available at http://www.gonzagajil.org/content/view/194/26/</ref>
  
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====Dense inert metal explosives====
  
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[[Dense Inert Metal Explosive]] (DIME) is a type of bomb developed to minimize collateral damage.<ref name="Israel used new type of weapon in Gaza">{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/norwegian-doctor-israel-used-new-type-of-weapon-in-gaza-1.268394 |title=Norwegian doctor: Israel used new type of weapon in Gaza |author=Amira Hass |newspaper=Haaretz |date=19 January 2009 |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref> DIME is a relatively new weapons technology being developed mainly in the United States. Several studies, including the one of [[Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute]], indicate that the tungsten residuals of the DIME weapon in the muscles of the laboratory animals result in severe malignant carcinogenesis. It is yet to be seen if this will have the same effect in humans.<ref>[http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/press/011505.html Tungsten-Alloy Shrapnel Causes Tumors, Cancer in Rats]{{dead link|date=November 2013}} Environmental Health Perspectives Website 2005-02-16 Retrieved 2010-02-24</ref> Because of possible high inclination to develop cancerous tumors in humans, some argue that the use of tungsten in weapons may be more dangerous than depleted uranium.<ref>[http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg18524883.700-depleted-uranium-ammo-may-be-replaced.html Depleted uranium ammo may be replaced] New Scientist Website 2005-02-26 Retrieved 2010-02-24</ref>
  
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Norwegian doctors who were some of the few Europeans in Gaza City during the conflict and a military expert working for Human Rights Watch said judging by the nature of the wounds and descriptions given by Gazans made it seem likely that Israel used DIME weapons.<ref name="Israel used new type of weapon in Gaza" />
  
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Colonel Lane, military expert testifying in front of the fact-finding mission in July 2009, told the committee that through his studies, no actual proof was found that DIME rounds were used, but tungsten, iron, and sulfur were found in samples analyzed in a forensic lab. He is of the view that some weapons systems used in the conflict had some sort of DIME component to reduce the effect on the ground. Colonel Lane explained that the idea behind a Focused Lethality Munition (FLM), which is an example of a DIME munition, is that the fragments produced stay within a safety radius of about 6 meters, so anybody outside that radius is safe, while those within the area of dispersal will be affected severely. He commented on the documentations where medics described unusual amputations saying that he was no medical expert, but the use of a metal like tungsten and cobalt at short distances would likely have that effect.<ref name=autogenerated4>[http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/9/docs/2009.07.07PM_Session.doc OHCHR.org]</ref>
  
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The [[Goldstone Report]] wrote that the Mission found that the allegations that DIME weapons were used Israeli armed forces required further clarification and they were unable to ascertain their usage, though it received reports from Palestinian and foreign doctors who had operated in Gaza during the military operations of a high percentage of patients with injuries compatible with their impact. It stated that the "focused lethality" reportedly pursued in DIME weapons could be seen as enhancing compliance with the principle of distinction between civilian and military objects. The report added that as it currently stands, DIME weapons and weapons armed with heavy metal are not prohibited under international law, but do raise specific health concerns.<ref name="Goldstone Report">[http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/12session/A-HRC-12-48.pdf Goldstone report], Goldstone report, UNHRC, para. 49</ref>
  
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An Amnesty International report called on Israel to confirm or deny its use of DIME in order to facilitate the treatment of those injured in the conflict,<ref name="AA">[http://www.amnesty.org/es/library/asset/MDE15/012/2009/es/3301b5c0-189b-4ba2-9bca-68e116fd590f/mde150122009en.pdf Fuelling conflict: foreign arms supplies to israel/gaza], Amnesty International, pp 17</ref> and Israel indeed denied the use of DIME weapons.<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/oct/17/israel1 Gaza doctors say patients suffering mystery injuries after Israeli attacks]</ref>
  
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====Accusations of misconduct by IDF soldiers====
  
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Testimonies from Israeli soldiers allegedly admitting indiscriminate killings of civilians, as well as vandalizing homes, were reported in March 2009.<ref name="bbc_gaza_abuses">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7952603.stm |title=BBC: Israel troops admit Gaza abuses |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-03-19 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref><ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5939611.ece Times on Line] Israeli soldiers admit to deliberate killing of Gaza civilians by James Hider</ref><ref name="Israel Disputes Soldiers' Accounts of Gaza Abuses">{{Cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/world/middleeast/28israel.html?_r=2&hp |title=Israel Disputes Soldiers’ Accounts of Gaza Abuses |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 27, 2009 |first=Ethan |last=Bronner |accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref> Soon after the publication of the testimonies, reports implying that the testimonies were based on hearsay and not on the firsthand experience started to circulate.<ref name="Israel Disputes Soldiers' Accounts of Gaza Abuses" /> At the same time, another kind of evidence was collected from several soldiers who took part in the fighting, that rebutted claims of immoral conduct on the military's part during Gaza War.<ref name="IDF soldiers rebut claims of immoral conduct in Gaza">{{Cite news| url= http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3689388,00.html| title=Israel IDF soldiers rebut claims of immoral conduct in Gaza| publisher=Ynet| date=March 19, 2009}}</ref> Following investigations, the IDF issued an official report, concluding that alleged cases of deliberate shooting at civilians did not take place.<ref name="Gaza offensive: Israeli military says no war crimes committed">{{Cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/31/israeli-military-denies-war-crimes-gaza |title=Gaza offensive: Israeli military says no war crimes committed |publisher=Guardian |date=March 31, 2009 |location=London |first=Helen |last=Pidd |accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref> Nine Israeli rights groups reacting to the closure of the investigation issued a joint statement calling for an "independent nonpartisan investigative body to be established to look into all Israeli army activity" in Gaza.<ref name="Gaza offensive: Israeli military says no war crimes committed" />
  
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In July 2009, the Israeli NGO Breaking the Silence published testimony from 26 soldiers (two junior officers and the rest enlisted personnel) who took part in the Gaza assault, claiming that the IDF used Gazans as human shields, improperly fired incendiary white phosphorus shells over civilian areas and used overwhelming firepower that caused needless deaths and destruction.<ref name="Europeans funding 'Breaking the Silence'">[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=1&cid=1246443834129&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Europeans funding 'Breaking the Silence'], ''The Jerusalem Post'', July 17, 2009</ref><ref name="Testimonies from Operation Cast Lead, Gaza 2009">[http://www.shovrimshtika.org/oferet/ENGLISH_oferet.pdf Soldiers' Testimonies from Operation Cast Lead, Gaza 2009]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}, Breaking the Silence, 2009-07-15</ref> The report did not represent a cross-section of the army, but rather they were troops who had approached the group or were reached through acquaintances of NGO members.<ref name="Europeans funding 'Breaking the Silence'" /> The accusations were made by anonymous people who claimed that they were reserves soldiers and whose faces had been blurred in the filmed talks. An Israeli military spokesperson dismissed the testimonies as anonymous hearsay and questioned why Breaking the Silence had not handed over its findings before the media had been informed. The Israeli military said some allegations of misconduct had turned out to be second or third-hand accounts and the result of recycled rumours.<ref name="BTS-2009-07-15">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8151336.stm|title=Breaking silence on Gaza abuses|date=2009-07-15|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2009-07-18}}</ref><ref name="IDF soldiers give testimonies to counter Gaza war crimes claims">{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/idf-soldiers-give-testimonies-to-counter-gaza-war-crimes-claims-1.280142 |title=IDF soldiers give testimonies to counter Gaza war crimes claims |author=Cnaan Liphshiz |publisher=Haaretz |date=16 July 2009 |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref> Breaking the Silence state that their methodology includes the verification of all information by cross-referencing the testimonies it collects and that published material has been confirmed by a number of testimonies, from several different points of view. A representative stated "the personal details of the soldiers quoted in the collection, and the exact location of the incidents described in the testimonies, would readily be made available to any official and independent investigation of the events, as long as the identity of the testifiers did not become public."<ref name="Guardian-Naaman ">{{Cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/17/israel-gaza-breaking-silence|title=Israel needs the truth about Cast Lead|last=Na'aman |first=Oded|date=2009-07-17|accessdate=2009-07-18|work=The Guardian|location=London}}</ref> A soldier who described using Gazans as human shields told in an interview to ''Haaretz'' that he had not seen Palestinians being used as human shields but had been told by his commanders that this occurred.<ref name="Barak: Criticism of IDF should be directed at me">{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/barak-criticism-of-idf-should-be-directed-at-me-1.280018 |title=Barak: Criticism of IDF should be directed at me |author=Amos Harel |newspaper=Haaretz |date=15 July 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>
  
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In response to the report, a dozen English-speaking reservists who served in Gaza delivered signed, on-camera counter-testimonies via the SoldiersSpeakOut group, about Hamas' "use of Gazans as human shields and the measures the IDF took to protect Arab civilians".<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/idf-soldiers-give-testimonies-to-counter-gaza-war-crimes-claims-1.280142 |title=IDF soldiers give testimonies to counter Gaza war crimes claims |author=Cnaan Liphshiz |work=Haaretz|date=16 July 2009 |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref><ref name="'Breaking the Silence' vs. 'Soldiers Speak Out' on Cast Lead">[http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/132447 'Breaking the Silence' vs. 'Soldiers Speak Out' on Cast Lead], Arutz 7, July 23, 2009</ref> The special report by Israeli filmmaker Nurit Kedar shown on Channel 4 detailed similar allegations by former IDF soldiers that included vandalism and misconduct by Israeli troops.<ref name="The Telegraph 2011-01-23"/>
  
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Colonel [[Richard Kemp]], former commander of [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|British forces in Afghanistan]], in his address to the UNHRC asserted that during the conflict, the Israel Defense Forces "did more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone than any other army in the history of warfare" and that Palestinian civilian casualties were a consequence of Hamas' way of fighting, which involved using human shields as a matter of policy, and deliberate attempts to sacrifice their own civilians. He added that Israel took extraordinary measures to give Gaza civilians notice of targeted areas and aborted potentially effective missions in order to prevent civilian casualties.<ref name="UNHRC endorses Goldstone's Gaza report by large majority">[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1255694824777&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull 'Mistakes are not war crimes'], UNHRC endorses Goldstone's Gaza report by large majority, ''The Jerusalem Post'', 16 October 2009.</ref>
  
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=====Prosecutions=====
  
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The first Israeli soldier to be prosecuted for actions committed during the war was a [[Givati Brigade]] soldier who stole a Visa credit card from a Palestinian home and used it to withdraw [[Israeli new shekel|NIS]] 1,600 (US$405). He was arrested and tried before the Southern Command Military Court on charges of looting, credit card fraud, and indecent conduct. He was found guilty and sentenced to seven and a half months in military prison.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3760488,00.html Soldier who stole credit card during Gaza op jailed]. Ynetnews.com (1995-06-20). Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref>
  
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In a report submitted to the UN in January 2010, the IDF stated that two senior officers were disciplined for authorizing an artillery attack in violation of rules against their near populated areas. Several artillery shells hit the UNRWA compound in Tel al-Hawa.<ref name="IDF downplays action against officers" /><ref name="GAZA OPERATION INVESTIGATIONS: AN UPDATE">[http://www.haaretz.com/hasite/images/iht_daily/D290110/Gaza%20Operation%20Investigations%20An%20Update.pdf Gaza operation investigations: An update], IMFA, para. 100, page 29</ref> During the attack on 15 January 2009, the compound was set ablaze by white phosphorus shells.<ref name="Goldstone Report" /> The officers involved were identified as [[Gaza Division]] Commander Brigadier-General [[Eyal Eisenberg]] and [[Givati Brigade]] Commander Colonel Ilan Malka.<ref name="Israel reprimands top officers over UN compound strike">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8490646.stm Israel reprimands top officers over UN compound strike], BBC, February 1, 2010</ref> An IDF internal investigation concluded that the firing of the shells violated the IDF orders limiting the use of artillery fire near populated areas and endangered human life.<ref name="GAZA OPERATION INVESTIGATIONS: AN UPDATE" /> IDF sources added later that the shells had been fired to create cover to assist in the extrication of IDF troops, some of whom were wounded, from an area where Hamas held a superior position.<ref name="IDF downplays action against officers">{{cite news |title=IDF downplays action against officers |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/idf-downplays-action-against-officers-1.262574 |author=Anshel Pfeffer |newspaper=Haaretz |date=February 2, 2010 |accessdate=April 9, 2012}}</ref> An Israeli Government spokesman stated that in this particular case they had found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing and so had not referred the case to criminal investigation.<ref name="Israel reprimands top officers over UN compound strike" />
  
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In October 2010, Colonel Ilan Malka was interrogated by [[Military Police Corps (Israel)|Israeli military police]] over the [[Zeitoun incident]], and a criminal investigation was opened. Malka was suspected of authorizing an airstrike on a building that left numerous members of the Samouni family dead. His promotion to the rank of Brigadier-General was suspended due to the investigation. Malka told investigatiors that he was unaware of the presence of civilians.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3973310,00.html |title=IDF commander questioned over Gaza killing|publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=1995-06-20 |accessdate=2012-10-07}}</ref><ref name="HRW">[http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/11/26/israel-soldiers-punishment-using-boy-human-shield-inadequate Israel: Soldiers’ Punishment for Using Boy as ‘Human Shield’ Inadequate|Human Rights Watch]. Hrw.org (2010-11-26). Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref> He was eventually reprimanded over the incident, but it was decided not to indict him. No other charges were brought over this incident. The IDF denied that they were targeting civilians and ''The New York Times'' reported that [[Hamas]] members had launched rockets at Israel about a mile away from the residents, an area "known to have many supporters of Hamas".<ref name="arabclan">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/10/world/middleeast/10gaza.html?hp |accessdate=2009-02-07|title=For Arab Clan, Days of Agony in a Cross-Fire |work=The New York Times |date=2009-01-09 |first=Taghreed |last=El-Khodary}}</ref> The Palestinian Center for Human Rights called the result "disgraceful" and Btselem stated the need for an external investigator to look into IDF actions during Cast Lead.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/03/world/middleeast/israel-military-clears-soldiers-in-deaths-of-gaza-civilians.html |last= Kershner |first= Isabel |title= Israel Military Clears Soldiers in Deaths of Gaza Civilians |publisher= NYTimes.com |accessdate= 2 May 2012}}</ref>
  
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In June 2010, [[Military Advocate General|Chief Advocate General]] [[Avichai Mandelblit]] summoned a recently discharged Givati Brigade sniper for a special hearing. The soldier was suspected of opening fire on Palestinian civilians when a group of 30 Palestinians that included women and children waving a white flag, approached an IDF position. The incident, which occurred on January 4, 2009, resulted in the death of a non-combatant. Mandelblit decided to indict the soldier on a charge of manslaughter, despite contradictory testimony and the fact that IDF investigators could not confirm that the soldier was responsible for the death.<ref>{{cite news |title=IDF indicts Cast Lead soldier |author=Yaakov Katz |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=180601 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=July 6, 2010 |accessdate=June 18, 2011}}</ref>
  
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In July 2010, the officer who authorized the airstrike on the Ibrahim al-Maqadna Mosque was subjected to disciplinary action, as shrapnel caused "unintentional injuries" to civilians inside. The IDF said that the officer "failed to exercise appropriate judgement", and that he would not be allowed to serve in similar positions of command in the future. Another Israeli officer was also reprimanded for allowing a Palestinian man to enter a building to persuade Hamas militants sheltering inside to leave.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/07/world/middleeast/07mideast.html|work=The New York Times|first=Isabel|last=Kershner|title=Indictments in Gaza War Are Announced|date=2010-07-06}}</ref>
  
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In November 2010, two Givati Brigade Staff Sergeants were convicted by the Southern Command Military Court of using a Palestinian boy as a human shield. The soldiers had been accused of forcing nine year-old Majed R. at gunpoint to open bags suspected of containing bombs in the [[Tel al-Hawa]] neighborhood. Both soldiers were demoted one rank and given three-month suspended sentences.<ref name="HRW"/>
  
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According to the U.S. State Department's 2010 Human Rights Report, the [[Military Advocate General]] investigated over 150 wartime incidents, including those mentioned in the Goldstone Report. As of July, the Military Advocate General launched 47 criminal investigations into the conduct of IDF personnel, and completed a significant number of those.<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/nea/154463.htm 2010 Human Rights Report: Israel and the occupied territories<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
  
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On April 1, 2011, Judge [[Richard Goldstone]], the lead author of the UN report on the conflict, published a piece in The Washington Post titled 'Reconsidering the Goldstone Report on Israel and war crimes'. Goldstone noted that the subsequent investigations conducted by Israel "indicate that civilians were not intentionally targeted as a matter of policy" while "the crimes allegedly committed by Hamas were intentional goes without saying." He further expressed regret "that our fact-finding mission did not have such evidence explaining the circumstances in which we said civilians in Gaza were targeted, because it probably would have influenced our findings about intentionality and war crimes."<ref name="WP0401">{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/reconsidering-the-goldstone-report-on-israel-and-war-crimes/2011/04/01/AFg111JC_story.html|title=Reconsidering the Goldstone Report on Israel and war crimes' |work=The Washington Post|date=2011-04-01|author=Richard Goldstone|accessdate=2011-04-01}}</ref> The other principal authors of the UN report, [[Hina Jilani]], [[Christine Chinkin]] and [[Desmond Travers]], have rejected Goldstone's reassessment arguing that there is "no justification for any demand or expectation for reconsideration of the report as nothing of substance has appeared that would in anyway change the context, findings or conclusions of that report with respect to any of the parties to the Gaza conflict".<ref name="afp1404">{{cite news |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iAXwmnGEbQBBCvdn82UdbTFpnECA?docId=CNG.81e3f073a7ff60182e936e010de882cd.791 |title=Authors reject calls to retract Goldstone report on Gaza |date=2011-04-14 |agency=AFP |accessdate=17 April 2011 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5y0OWze1n |archivedate=2011-04-17}}</ref><ref name="g2011-04-14">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/14/goldstone-report-statement-un-gaza |title=Goldstone report: Statement issued by members of UN mission on Gaza war |coauthors=Hina Jilani, Christine Chinkin and Desmond Travers |date=2011-04-14 |publisher=The Guardian |accessdate=17 April 2011|location=London}}</ref>
  
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==Effects==
  
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{{Main|Effects of the Gaza War}}
  
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Along with a high casualty rate, there were multiple economic, industrial and medical effects of the Gaza War. The [[United Nations Development Programme]] warned that there will be long-term consequences of the attacks on Gaza because the livelihoods and assets of tens of thousands of Gaza civilians have been affected.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090205002518/http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_pres_release_ny_2009_english.pdf|archivedate=February 5, 2009 |accessdate= January 21, 2009 |url=http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_pres_release_ny_2009_english.pdf |title=Press release |format=PDF}}</ref>
  
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Early estimates by independent contractors in Gaza say that Gaza lost nearly $2 billion in assets, including 4,000 homes destroyed.<ref name="bbcjan192009-earthquate">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7838618.stm Gaza 'looks like earthquake zone'], BBC News, January 19, 2009.</ref> The IDF destroyed 600–700 factories, small industries, workshops and business enterprises throughout the Gaza Strip,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1067282.html |title=Amira Hass, 'Industrial wastelands,’ ''Haaretz'' 26/02/2009 |publisher=Haaretz |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090304000654/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1067282.html |archivedate=4 March 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> 24 mosques, 31 security compounds, and 10 water or sewage lines.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/un-chief-hamas-rocket-attacks-are-appalling-and-unacceptable-1.268515 |title=UN Chief: Hamas rocket attacks are 'appalling and unacceptable' |publisher=''Haaretz'' |agency=Associated Press | date=20 January 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> The [[World Health Organization]] said that 34 health facilities (8 hospitals and 26 primary health care clinics) were damaged over the course of the offensive and the [[UNOCHA]] said that over 50 United Nations facilities sustained damage, of which 28 reported damage in the first three days of the operation.<ref name="UNOCHAJan22">{{cite web|title=Protection of Civilians Weekly Report|date=January 16–20, 2009|url=http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_protection_of_civilians_weekly_2009_01_20_english.pdf}}</ref> On 22 January 2010, Israel paid $10.5 million in compensation to the United Nations for damages to UN property incurred during the Israeli offensive.<ref>[http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33559&Cr=gaza&Cr1 Israel compensates UN for damages during last year’s Gaza offensive]. Un.org. Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref>
  
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A satellite-based damage assessment of the Gaza Strip by the United Nations revealed 2,692 destroyed and severely damaged buildings, 220 [[impact craters]] on roads and bridges with an estimated length of 167&nbsp;km (104&nbsp;mi) of [[paved road|paved]] and unpaved roads damaged, 714 impact craters on open ground or cultivated land with an estimated land area of 2,100 hectares (21&nbsp;km²), 187 [[greenhouses]] completely destroyed or severely damaged with an estimated area of 28 hectares (0.28&nbsp;km²), and 2,232 hectares (22.32&nbsp;km²) of demolished zones targeted by IDF [[bulldozers]], tanks and [[white phosphorus|phosphorus]] shelling.<ref name="unosat_2_19">{{Cite news
  
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| title = Satellite-based Gaza Damage Assessment Overview
  
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| url = http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/freeproducts/Gaza/Crisis2008/UNOSAT_GazaStrip_Damage_Review_19Feb09_v3_Lowres.pdf
  
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| date = 2009-03-10
  
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| accessdate = 2009-04-07
  
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| publisher = [[United Nations Institute for Training and Research]]
  
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| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5frgvUsaP
  
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| archivedate = 2009-04-07
  
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}}</ref>
  
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===Casualties===
  
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{{Main|Casualties of the Gaza War}}
  
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The IDF tallied 709 Hamas and affiliated militant deaths. The Hamas Interior Minister [[Fathi Hamad]] stated that up to 750 Palestinian militants and policemen were killed.<ref name="AFP 2010-11-01"/><ref name="Ma'an 2010-11-02">{{cite news|title=Minister: 200–300 Hamas fighters killed in war|url=http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=329861|agency=Ma'an News Agency|date=2010-11-02}}</ref> In addition, 295–720 (or 740—PMoH<ref name=OCHAFeb5>{{cite web|publisher=United Nations [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]] (OCHA)|date=February 5, 2009|title=Field update on Gaza from the humanitarian coordinator: 3–5 February 2009, 1700 hours|url=http://unispal.un.org/unispal.nsf/85255db800470aa485255d8b004e349a/50a7789ce959e0c285257554006d3e56?OpenDocument|accessdate=2009-05-02}}</ref>) civilians were killed in the conflict. Ten Israeli soldiers were killed, along with three civilians.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1237727552054&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull|publisher = The Jerusalem Post|date = March 28, 2009|accessdate = February 22, 2010|archivedate=February 22, 2010|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5niwZTV9K|title=IDF releases Cast Lead casualty numbers}}</ref>
  
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Difficulties in ascertaining an accurate Palestinian casualty count have been attributed to a number of factors. It was reported that Hamas fighters had been ordered not to wear military uniforms during the fighting.<ref name=nytimestraps/><ref name=cbsnews/> Israeli-Arab journalist [[Khaled Abu Toameh]] wrote in ''The Jerusalem Post'' that this practice led to the over-counting of civilian casualties and under-counting Hamas military casualties, as Palestinian casualties arrived at hospitals without weapons or any other signs revealing they were fighters.<ref>Khaled Abu Toameh, [http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1232292909104&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Analysis: Trumpets of victory strike false note], JPOST, 20 January 2009</ref> Further difficulties were met with due to differing definitions of who should be counted as a combatant, and the lack of access to the conflict zone by independent media or human rights workers due to Israel's strict blockade of the borders before, during, and after the conflict.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7855070.stm Counting casualties of Gaza's war], BBC News, 28 January 2009</ref>
  
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During the conflict Israel targeted numerous police facilities in Gaza. Many of these attacks occurred during the first minutes of the operations resulting in the deaths of 99 policemen and nine other members of the public.<ref name=UNFFMGCReport_pdf/><ref name=btselemcasualties>{{cite web|url=http://www.btselem.org/download/20090909_cast_lead_fatalities_eng.pdf |title=B’Tselem’s investigation of fatalities in Operation Cast Lead |publisher=http://www.btselem.org |date= |accessdate=2012-07-01}}</ref> The attacks on Police during the first day of the operation included the bombing of a police cadet graduation ceremony, killing scores of police cadets along with family members who had come to attend the celebration. Police cadets killed in the incident included traffic police and musicians in the police orchestra.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/palestinianauthority/3981502/Israel-attack-on-Gaza-Fragile-peace-shattered-again.html |title=Israel attack on Gaza: Fragile peace shattered again |publisher=http://www.telegraph.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2012-07-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/may/26/goldstone-and-gaza-whats-still-true/?pagination=false |title=Goldstone and Gaza: What’s Still True - New York Review of Books |publisher=http://www.nybooks.com |date= |accessdate=2012-07-02}}</ref> The Israeli Orient Research Group reported that 78 of the 89 killed during this first IAF strike were terror operatives, many of them belonging to the militant group, al-Qassam Brigades.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}} The Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs further reported that 286 of the 343 police officers killed during the offensive were members of terror organizations and that another 27 fighters belonged to units undergoing infantry training.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}} It noted that the security apparatuses participated in terror activity and that the Hamas leadership presented these organizations as at the forefront of the jihad for liberating all of Palestine.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3720759,00.html |title=Report: Most Hamas 'officers' killed in Gaza were terrorists|publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=1995-06-20 |accessdate=2011-03-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Halevi|first=Jonathan D.|title=Palestinian "Policemen" Killed in Gaza Operation Were Trained Terrorists|url=http://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DRIT=1&DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=442&PID=0&IID=3081&TTL=Palestinian_%E2%80%9CPolicemen%E2%80%9D_Killed_in_Gaza_Operation_Were_Trained_Terrorists|newspaper=Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs|date=13 September 2009}}</ref> The UN fact finding mission established that approximately 240 Gaza policemen were killed by Israeli forces during the course of the conflict constituting over one sixth of the total Palestinian casualties.<ref name=UNFFMGCReport_pdf/>
  
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Human Rights Watch stated that police are presumptively civilians but on a specific case by case basis can be considered valid targets if formally incorporated into the armed forces of a party to a conflict or directly participate in the hostilities. They stressed that blanket decisions must not be made about police being legitimate targets and that a decision that police and police stations are legitimate military targets depends on whether those police play a role in fighting against Israel, or whether a particular police station is used to store weapons or for some other military purpose.<ref name="hrw_civilians_release">{{cite web|url=http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/12/30/israelgaza-civilians-must-not-be-targets|title=Israel/Gaza: Civilians must not be tagets|date=2008-12-30|publisher=Human Rights Watch|accessdate=2009-03-26}}</ref> The IDF made clear that it regards police under the control of Hamas in Gaza to be equivalent to the enemies armed fighters, including them in the militant's count. A government paper published pictures of four men that were killed during the military operations that they claim were downloaded from Palestinian websites. The men are identified in the different pictures as both policemen and members of al-Qassam Brigades.<ref name=UNFFMGCReport_pdf/><ref name="Consent and advise">{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1059925.html |title=Consent and advise |date=2009-02-05 |publisher=Haaretz |accessdate=2009-06-05 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090202065705/http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1059925.html |archivedate=2 February 2009}}</ref><ref name="Israel's Gaza toll far lower than Palestinian tally">{{Cite news| title = Israel's Gaza toll far lower than Palestinian tally| url = http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSLQ977827| publisher = Reuters|date = 2009-03-26}}</ref> Israeli [[Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center]] (ITIC) alleged that the distinction between the internal security forces and Hamas military wing is not sharply defined and cites Gaza police officials who said that police were instructed to fight the enemy in case of an invasion into the Gaza Strip.<ref name="Mounting evidence indicates">{{cite web|url=http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/hamas_e067.htm|title=Mounting evidence indicates|date=24 March 2009|publisher=ITIC}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/world/middleeast/10mideast.html?_r=1 | work=The New York Times | title=Hamas in Largest Arms Buildup Yet, Israeli Study Says | first=Ethan | last=Bronner | date=2008-04-10 | accessdate=2010-05-05}}</ref> Many security force members were reported to "moonlight" with the militant group, Izzidin al-Qassam Brigades.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jan/01/world/fg-gaza-scene1 | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Gaza police back on the beat amid Israeli attacks | first1=Ashraf | last1=Khalil | first2=Ahmed | last2=Burai | date=2009-01-01 | accessdate=2010-05-05}}</ref> The UN fact finding mission analysed the police institutions in Gaza from the time Hamas gained control. They concluded that the Gaza police were a civilian law-enforcement agency and that Israel's blanket targeting of the Gaza police was therefore a violation of international humanitarian law.<ref name=UNFFMGCReport_pdf/>
  
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During the conflict, Palestinian groups fired rockets targeting Israeli civilians in the cities of Ashdod, Beersheba and Gedera placing 1/8 of the Israeli population at risk. The military wing of Hamas said that after a week from the start, it had managed to fire 302 rockets, at an average of 44 rockets daily. 102 rockets and 35 mortars were fired by Fatah at Israel. Over 750 rockets and mortars were fired from Gaza into Israel during the conflict wounded 182 civilians, killing 3 people, and causing minor suffering to another 584 people suffering from shock and anxiety. Several rockets landed in schools and one fell close to a kindergarten, all located in residential areas. The UN fact finding mission stated that this constituted a deliberate attack against the civilian population and was unjustifiable in international law.<ref name="dec31_ynetnews"/><ref name="jpost_total_rockets"/><ref name="Israeli MFA"/>
  
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===Health problems in Gaza===
  
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Following the war, Gaza has witnessed increasing epidemics of health problems.
  
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At the Al Shifa hospital a constant increase in the percentage of children born with birth defects of about 60% was witnessed when the period of July to September 2008 was compared to the same period in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/gaza-strip/3931 |title=Birth defects in Gaza increase due to war effects |publisher=Paltelegraph.com |date=2010-02-04 |accessdate=2010-05-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=215317 |title=New birth defects seen in Gaza due to Israeli weapons |publisher=tehran times |date=2010-03-06 |accessdate=2010-05-08}}</ref> Dr. Mohammed Abu Shaban, director of the Blood Tumors Department in Al-Rantisy Hospital in Gaza has witnessed an increase in the number of cases of blood cancer. In March 2010 the department had seen 55 cases so far for that year, compared to the 20 to 25 cases normally seen in an entire year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paltelegraph.com/diaries/featured-articles/4847-cancer-increases-by-considerable-percentage-gaza-strip |title=Cancer increases by considerable percentage in Gaza Strip |publisher=Paltelegraph.com |date=2010-03-16 |accessdate=2010-05-08}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref>
  
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During the war, Norwegian medics said that they had found traces of depleted uranium, a radioactive and genotoxic material used in some types of munition, in some Gaza residents who were wounded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=80443&sectionid=351020202 |title=Depleted uranium found in Gaza victims |publisher=Presstv.ir |date=2009-01-04 |accessdate=2010-05-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal| issn = 1997-3322| volume = 20| issue = 1| pages = 1–3| last = Thomsen| first = Jørgen L| coauthors = Martin Worm-Leonhard| title = The detection of phosphorus in the tissue of bomb victims in Gaza| journal = Torture: Quarterly Journal on Rehabilitation of Torture Victims and Prevention of Torture| year = 2010| pmid = 20228449}}</ref> Lawyers who brought back soil samples from Gaza said that areas where these samples were taken contained up to 75 tons of depleted uranium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/11/content_11527880.htm |title=Lawyers: Israel uses uranium in Gaza offensive|publisher=Xinhua |date=2009-06-11 |accessdate=2010-05-08}}</ref> The Israeli government denied it used Depleted Uranium, and the United Nations opened an investigation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Melman |first=Yossi |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/un-to-probe-claim-israel-used-depleted-uranium-bombs-in-gaza-1.268599 |title=UN to probe claim Israel used depleted uranium bombs in Gaza |newspaper=Haaretz |date=January 22, 2009 |accessdate=2010-05-08}}</ref> Israel had also initially denied the use of white phosphorus during the war, but later acknowledged that indeed it had used white phosphorus to cover troop movements.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2009/07/200973020830886898.html |title=Israel admits white phosphorus use |publisher=Al Jazeera|date=2009-07-31 |accessdate=2010-05-08}}</ref>
  
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The policy of the Government of Israel is to condition the access of Palestinians who live in the Palestinian territories to healthcare in Israel upon financial coverage from the [[Palestinian National Authority|Palestinian Authority]]. In January 2009, following the war, the Palestinian Authority cancelled financial coverage for all medical care for Palestinians in Israeli hospitals, including coverage for chronically ill Palestinian patients, and those in need of complex care that is not available in other tertiary medical centers in the region. This decision was protested by human rights organizations.<ref>[http://reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/CJAL-7PYM36?OpenDocument Physicians for Human Rights-Israel and human rights organizations in a joint position paper on the decision to stop covering Palestinian's medical care in Israel]. Reliefweb.int (2009-03-09). Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref>
  
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===Gaza humanitarian crisis===
  
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{{See also|2008-2009 Gaza Strip aid}}
  
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[[File:UNOSAT GazaStrip Damage Review 19Feb09 v3 Lowres.png|thumb|A satellite-based damage assessment of the Gaza Strip by the United Nations ([[UNOSAT]]). February 2009]]
  
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The United Nations [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]] reported that the Gaza humanitarian crisis is significant and should not be understated. It also states that the situation is a "[[human dignity]] crisis" in the Gaza strip, entailing "a massive destruction of livelihoods and a significant deterioration of infrastructure and basic services". Fear and panic are widespread; 80% of the population could not support themselves and were dependent on humanitarian assistance.<ref name="ocha_report_1_2" /> The International Red Cross said the situation was "intolerable" and a "full blown humanitarian crisis".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7813671.stm|title=Gaza clashes spark 'major crisis' |publisher=BCC News|date=2009-01-06|accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref> The importation of necessary food and supplies continues to be blocked even after the respective ceasefires.<ref>{{cite news |title=At a Border Crossing, Drivers and Truckloads of Aid for Gaza Go Nowhere |author=Michael Slackman |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/world/middleeast/28egypt.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 28, 2009 |accessdate=June 18, 2012}}</ref> According to the World Food Programme, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization and Palestinian officials, between 35% and 60% of the agriculture industry was wrecked. With extensive damage occurring to water sources, greenhouses, and farmland. It is estimated that 60% of the agricultural land in the north of the Strip may no longer be arable.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Peter Beaumont|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/01/gaza-food-crisis |title=Gaza desperately short of food after Israel destroys farmland|publisher=Guardian |accessdate=2010-03-24 |location=London |date=2009-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/gaza-counts-the-cost-ndash-and-assigns-blame-1522547.html |author=Donald Macintyre |title=Gaza counts the cost – and assigns blame |newspaper= The Independent Sunday |date=February 1, 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> More than 50,800 Gazans were left homeless.<ref name="bbcjan192009-earthquate" /> Extensive destruction was caused to commercial enterprises and to public infrastructure. According to Palestinian industrialists, 219 factories were destroyed or severely damaged during the Israeli military operation. They accounted as part of the 3% of industrial capacity that was operating after the Israeli blockade was imposed, which was mostly destroyed during the operation.<ref name="ocha_report_1_29" />
  
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On January 3, before the IDF ground operation, Israel's foreign minister [[Tzipi Livni]] said that Israel had taken care to protect the civilian population of Gaza, and that it had kept the humanitarian situation "completely as it should be", maintaining Israel's earlier stance.<ref name="livni_no_crisis_in_gaza">{{Cite news
  
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| title = Livni: No crisis in Gaza Strip
  
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| url = http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/01/20091115532645312.html
  
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| date = 2009-01-01
  
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| publisher = [[Aljazeera English]]
  
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| accessdate = 2009-01-03
  
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}}</ref> The Secretary-general of the Arab League, [[Amr Moussa]], criticized Livni's statement and further criticized the [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]] for not responding faster to the crisis.<ref name = haaretz_humanitarian>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/arab-league-slams-livni-remark-there-s-no-humanitarian-crisis-in-gaza-1.267362 |title=Arab League slams Livni remark 'there's no humanitarian crisis in Gaza' |publisher=Haaretz |agency=Reuters |date=January 3, 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> On subsequent reports, the UN stated that "only an immediate cease-fire will be able to address the large-scale humanitarian and protection crisis that faces the people of Gaza."<ref name="ocha_report_1_11">{{Cite news
  
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| title = Field Update On Gaza From The Humanitarian Coordinator
  
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| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_situation_report_2009_01_11_english.pdf
  
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| date = 2009-01-11
  
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| publisher = UN [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
  
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| accessdate = 2009-01-14
  
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| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5dobk3eDZ
  
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| archivedate = 2009-01-14
  
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}}</ref>
  
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The [[Emergency Relief Coordinator]] of the United Nations has stated that after the end of the Israeli operation, at best, only 120 truckloads get into Gaza, instead of the normal daily requirement, including commercial traffic, of 500 trucks at minimum. It is also reported in his statement and other UN [[OCHA|humanitarian office]] reports that essential items such as construction materials, water pipes, electrical wires, and transformers continue to be effectively banned, or only allowed infrequently.<ref name="ocha_report_1_29">{{Cite news
  
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| title = Field Update on Gaza From The Humanitarian Coordinator – 27–29 January 2009, 1700 hours
  
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| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_01_29_english.pdf
  
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| date = 2009-01-29
  
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| accessdate = 2009-02-11
  
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| agency = UN [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
  
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| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5eVXFsjS9
  
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| archivedate = 2009-02-11
  
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}}</ref><ref name="sir_john_holmes_statement">{{Cite news| title = Briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_crisis_security_briefing_2009_01_26.pdf| publisher = UN [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]| date = 2009-01-27| accessdate = 2009-02-11| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5eVPe7S1A| archivedate = 2009-02-11}}</ref><ref name="ocha_report_1_19">{{Cite news
  
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| title = Field Update On Gaza From The Humantirian Coordinator – 19 January 2009, 1700 hours
  
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| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_01_19_english.pdf
  
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| date = 2009-01-19
  
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| agency = UN [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
  
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| accessdate = 2009-01-22
  
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| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5e0euCd7M
  
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| archivedate = 2009-01-22
  
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}}</ref><ref name="ocha_report_2_5" /> He also stated that commercial goods must be allowed in and out, since Gaza Palestinians "do not want or deserve to be dependent on humanitarian aid" and that the "limited trickle" of items into Gaza continue the effective collective punishment of the civilian population and force the counter-productive reliance on tunnels for daily essentials.<ref name="sir_john_holmes_statement" /><ref name="unric_holmes">{{Cite news
  
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| title = 'Every Gazan has a tale of profound grief to tell'..., Security Council told
  
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| url = http://january.unricmagazine.org/front-page-news/161-every-gazan-has-a-tale-of-profound-grief-to-tell-yet-people-also-determined-to-overcome-pain-rebuild-lives-security-council-told.html
  
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| agency = [[United Nations Regional Information Centre]] Magazine
  
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| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5egroulrH
  
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}}</ref>
  
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[[File:Tent camp gaza strip april 2009.jpg|thumb|left|Tent camp, Gaza Strip, April 2009]]
  
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As a result of the conflict, the [[European Union]], the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation|Organisation of the Islamic Conference]] and over 50 nations donated humanitarian aid to Gaza, including the United States, which donated over $20 million.<ref>Elise Labott, [http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/29/gaza.us.aid/ U.S. to give $20 million more in humanitarian aid to Gaza]. CNN. 26-01-2009</ref> On January 7, a UN Relief Works Agency spokesman acknowledged that he was "aware of instances where deliveries of humanitarian aid into Gaza" were diverted by the Hamas government, though never from his agency.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2009/01/07/DI2009010701185.html|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5dp91AUnE|title=Middle East: Israel Halts Operations To Allow Aid Shipments|publisher=The Washington Post|date=January 7, 2009|archivedate=January 14, 2009|first=Johan|last=Eriksson|accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref> Additionally, on February 3, blankets and food parcels were confiscated by Hamas police personnel from an [[UNRWA]] distribution center, and on February 4, the UN [[Emergency Relief Coordinator]] demanded that the aid be returned immediately.<ref name="ocha_report_2_5">{{Cite news
  
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| title = Field Update on Gaza From the Humanitarian Coordinator
  
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| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_02_05_english.pdf
  
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| date = 2009-02-05
  
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| accessdate = 2009-02-13
  
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| agency = UN [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
  
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| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5eYrdS5Vu
  
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| archivedate = 2009-02-13
  
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}}</ref> The Hamas government issued a statement stating that the incident was a misunderstanding between the drivers of the trucks and has been resolved through direct contact with the UNRWA.<ref>{{Cite news
  
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| title = UNRWA suspends activities in Gazans after Hamas seized aid
  
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| url = http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/07/content_10776872.htm
  
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| agency = [[Xinhua News]]
  
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| date = 2009-02-06
  
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| accessdate = 2009-02-13
  
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}}</ref> On February 9, UNRWA lifted the suspension on the movement of its humanitarian supplies into Gaza, after the Hamas authorities returned all the aid supplies confiscated.<ref name="ocha_report_2_9">{{Cite news
  
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| title = Field Update on Gaza From the Humanitarian Coordinator, 6–9 February 2009, 1700 hours
  
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| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_02_09_english-20090210-104024.pdf
  
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| date = 2009-02-09
  
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| accessdate = 2009-02-13
  
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| agency = UN [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
  
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| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5eZY2NjpS
  
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| archivedate = 2009-02-13
  
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}}</ref> The UN [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]] has described the Israeli procedures for humanitarian organizations entrance to Gaza as inconsistent and unpredictable ones that impedes the ability of organizations to effectively plan their humanitarian response and obstructs efforts to address the humanitarian crisis brought by the 18 months blockade and Israel's military operation.<ref name="ocha_report_2_2">{{Cite news
  
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| title = Field Update On Gaza From The Humanitarian Coordinator, 30 January – 2 February 2009, 1700 hours
  
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| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_02_02_english.pdf
  
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| date = 2009-02-02
  
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| accessdate = 2009-02-11
  
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| agency = UN [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
  
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| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5eWGIhb7g
  
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| archivedate = 2009-02-11
  
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}}</ref> The UN also reported that international organizations faced "unprecedented denial" of access to Gaza by Israel since 5 November and that humanitarian access remained unreliable and needed to be granted on an unrestricted daily basis.{{Clarify|date=March 2013}}<ref name="ocha_report_1_26">{{Cite news
  
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| title = Field Update On Gaza From The Humanitarian Coordinator – 24–26 January 2009, 1700 hours
  
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| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_01_26_english.pdf
  
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| date = 2009-01-26
  
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| accessdate = 2009-01-28
  
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| agency = UN [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
  
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| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5e9bgEbhd
  
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| archivedate = 2009-01-28
  
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}}</ref>
  
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In a damage assessment by the [[World Health Organization]], 48% of the 122 health facilities assessed were found to be damaged or destroyed, 15 of Gaza's 27 hospitals and 41 [[primary health care]] centers suffered damage, and 29 ambulances were partially damaged or destroyed.<ref name="who_report_2_4">{{Cite news
  
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| title = Health Situation in the Gaza Strip
  
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| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_who_gaza_situation_report_2009_02_04_english.pdf
  
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| date = 2009-02-04
  
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| accessdate = 2009-02-13
  
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| agency = [[World Health Organization]]
  
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| publisher = UN [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
  
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| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5eXoiYV1l
  
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| archivedate = 2009-02-13
  
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}}</ref> Injured patients needing referral outside Gaza for specialized care were evacuated exclusively through the Egyptian [[Rafah Border Crossing|Rafah border crossing]]. In the early stages of the conflict, Hamas sealed the border, and prevented wounded Palestinians from seeking medical attention in Egypt.<ref name="ReutersAfrica">{{Cite news|url=http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnJOE4BR01X.html|title=Hamas denying Gaza wounded treatment in Egypt|date=December 28, 2008|publisher=Reuters Africa|accessdate=December 28, 2008|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5dSFwkJaH|archivedate=December 30, 2008}}</ref> On 30 December, the organization allowed a trickle of medical evacuations from Gaza, but restricted their number.<ref name="PalestinianWoundedFinally">{{cite news|title=Palestinian wounded finally pass through Egypt crossing|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ipy-I4l8HBUyagJsP_RJwLFRWkbQ|agency=Associated French Press|date=December 30, 2008|archivedate=January 5, 2009|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5dbSgHJ56}}</ref> Gaza Ministry of Health reported that between 29 December and 22 January, 608 injured were evacuated through Rafah. The Israeli Erez crossing was closed much of the period and only 30 patients were able to exit during the crisis.<ref name="ocha_report_2_2" /><ref name="who_report_2_4" /> An initial survey conducted by the [[United Nations Development Programme]] (UNDP) estimates that 14,000 homes, 68 government buildings, and 31 non-governmental organization offices (NGOs) were either totally or partially damaged, creating about 600,000 tonnes of concrete rubble needing to be removed.<ref name="ocha_report_2_5" /> Since 2007, Israel has not permitted the entry of construction material into Gaza, adversely affecting UN projects, in particular [[UNRWA]] and UNDP, who suspended more than $100 million in construction projects due to lack of materials.<ref name="ocha_report_1_19" />
  
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The [[Ministry of Health (Israel)|Israeli Health Ministry]] and [[Magen David Adom]] established an emergency clinic for wounded Gazans at the Erez crossing on 17 June. The clinic received only {{Quantify|date=March 2013}}patients, none of them with war-related injuries, and it was suspected that Hamas had instructed civilians not to seek treatment there. The clinic closed after ten days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3662288,00.html |title=Israel to close clinic at Erez crossing|publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=1995-06-20 |accessdate=2012-10-07}}</ref> Subsequently, the [[Jordanian Army]] established a [[field hospital]] in the Gaza Strip, which is still operating.{{When|date=March 2013}} The hospital's equipment, staff, and military guards are transferred from Jordan through Israel via the [[Allenby Bridge]], and outgoing personnel return the same way.<ref>[http://en.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=10949 Jordanian military field hospital arrives in Gaza<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.idfblog.com/2011/06/13/israeli-convoy-delivers-medical-supplies-to-gaza/ Israeli Convoy Delivers Medical Supplies to Gaza • IDF Blog | The Official Blog of the Israel Defense Forces<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
  
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One year after the ceasefire approximately 20,000 people remained displaced.<ref name="unhm200912">{{cite web|url=http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_humanitarian_monitor_2010_01_18_english.pdf|title=THE HUMANITARIAN MONITOR|date=December 2009|publisher=United Nations – Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs – occupied Palestinian territory|accessdate=7 February 2010}}</ref>
  
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===Effects on Israel===
  
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[[File:Rocketpopmap.jpeg|thumb|According to HRW, during the Gaza War, rocket attacks placed up to 800,000 people within range of attack.<ref name=autogenerated5>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/20/hamas-investigate-attacks-israeli-civilians |title=Hamas: Investigate Attacks on Israeli Civilians &#124; Human Rights Watch |publisher=Hrw.org |date=2009-10-20 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>]]
  
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During the conflict, life in much of southern Israel was paralyzed by Hamas rocket and mortar fire.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israeli-forces-bisect-gaza-and-surround-biggest-city-1224897.html |title=Israeli forces bisect Gaza and surround biggest city|newspaper=The Independent |date=2009-01-04 |accessdate=2010-03-24|location=London}}</ref> The Israeli [[Home Front Command]] issued detailed emergency instructions to Israeli citizens for preparing for and dealing with rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip. The instructions included orders to stay within a certain distance of [[bomb shelter]]s based on proximity to the source of the rockets.<ref>[http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3645774,00.html Home Front Command issues emergency instructions], Ynet 31-12-2008</ref> Hamas' Grad rockets' increased range of 40&nbsp;km put more than 700,000 Israelis within strike range,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Butcher |first=Tim |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/4045162/More-than-700000-Israelis-now-in-range-of-Hamas-missiles.html |title=More than 700,000 Israelis now in range of Hamas missiles |publisher=Telegraph |date=2008-12-31 |accessdate=2010-03-24|location=London}}</ref> prompting 40% of the residents of the southern city of Ashkelon to flee the city, despite official calls to stay.<ref>[http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=82338 Ashkelon Empties, Trauma teams Struggle], IRIN News (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs),13-01-2009</ref> Throughout the war, Palestinian rocket attacks into Israel damaged or destroyed more than 1,500 homes and buildings and 327 vehicles.<ref>[http://news.walla.co.il/?w=/1/1421716&bigmaavaron=1 נזקי המלחמה: 1,900 תביעות על פגיעה ישירה – וואלה! חדשות]. News.walla.co.il. Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref> Numerous agricultural fields near Gaza also sustained damage. Twenty-eight Israeli families lost their homes to rocket attacks, and had to temporarily live in hotels.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3654143,00.html Rocket damages lead to 1,120 property tax suits – Israel Business, Ynetnews]. Ynetnews.com (1995-06-20). Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref> Among the buildings hit were nine educational facilities and three synagogues.<ref name="golstonereport.com">[http://www.thegoldstonereport.com/rockets.html Israel's Actions in Gaza]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}. Thegoldstonereport.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref>
  
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Schools and universities in southern Israel began to close due to rocket threats on December 27.<ref>Aron Heller, [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090111/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_back_to_school "School resumes in Israel despite rocket threat"]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}, Associated Press, 11-01-2009</ref> Studies officially resumed on January 11. Only schools with fortified classrooms and bomb shelters were allowed to bring students in, and IDF Home Front Command representatives were stationed in the schools;<ref>[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231424908523&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull Some 2,700 Beersheba students to attend classes in bomb shelters], ''The Jerusalem Post'' 10-01-2009</ref><ref>[http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=82338 "Ashkelon Empties, Trauma teams Struggle"], IRIN News (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs),13-01-2009</ref> attendance was low.<ref>[http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=82338 "Ashkelon Empties, Trauma teams Struggle"], IRIN News (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs13-01-2009</ref><ref name=back>[http://jta.org/news/article/2009/01/13/1002206/israeli-schools-reopen-as-rocket-fire-declines Some Israelis go back to school as rocket fire declines]. By Dina Kraft. [[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]. Published January 13, 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Abe Selig |url=http://www.jpost.com/Home/Article.aspx?id=128844 |title=Back to school for students in South |work=The Jerusalem Post|date=12 January 2009 |accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> Palestinian rocket attacks that hit educational facilities caused no casualties.<ref name="golstonereport.com"/><ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3648122,00.html IDF: Rocket that hit Beersheba school made in China]. By Yael Barnovsky. Ynetnews. Published December 31, 2008.</ref><ref name="school">Abe Selig, [http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1230456538695 "School closure saves lives of pupils"], ''The Jerusalem Post'' 31-12-2009</ref><ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3652872,00.html 4 troops hurt in mortar attack; Grad hits Ashkelon school]. By Shmulik Hadad. [[Ynet News]]. Published January 8, 2009.</ref>
  
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The largest hospital on Israel's southern coast, Ashkelon's [[Barzilai Medical Center]], moved its critical treatment facilities into an underground shelter after a rocket struck beside its [[helipad|helicopter pad]] on December 28.<ref name="fear">[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28409448/ Fear sends Israeli hospital underground]. [[MSNBC.com]]. Published December 28, 2008.</ref>
  
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Most business in Southern Israel stopped upon orders of the Home Front Command, with retailers losing an estimated $7 million in the first week. Numerous small businesses suffered in decreased sales, and were unable to pay employee salaries due to low revenues.<ref name="golstonereport.com"/> Major industries remained open, but had high absence rates.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3649224,00.hmtl Ynetnews.com]</ref> The Manufacturers Association of Israel estimated the direct cost to business and industry to be 88 million [[Israeli new shekel|NIS]], and indirect financial losses at several tens of millions of shekels.<ref name="globes">[http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000417729 Manufacturers claim Cast Lead cost industry nearly NIS 90m]. Globes (2009-01-18). Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref>
  
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The Israel Tax Authority received 1,728 compensation claims for damages related to the conflict, mostly from Ashkelon and [[Ashdod]].<ref name="globes"/>
  
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According to Israeli economist Ron Eichel, the war effort cost the Israeli military about 5 billion NIS in military expenditure, or 250 million NIS per day.<ref>[http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000417933 Operation Cast Lead direct cost estimated at NIS 5b]. Globes (2009-01-19). Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref> An anonymous political source told Ynetnews that the aerial assaults were costing $27 million to $39 million a day in munitions and fuel, totaling the first six days of the operation at nearly $265 million for air-strikes alone. Both the IDF and Treasury refused to disclose the exact amount, and the Treasury adamantly denied these figures.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3649224,00.html Price tags of war – Israel Business, Ynetnews]. Ynetnews.com (1995-06-20). Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref>
  
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==International law==
  
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<!-- This section should be maintained as an up to date summary of the main 'International law and the Gaza War' article. It should match or closely follow the lead of that article. -->
  
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{{Main|International law and the Gaza War}}
  
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{{See also|United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict}}
  
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Accusations of violations regarding [[international humanitarian law]], which governs the actions by belligerents during an armed conflict, have been directed at both Israel and Hamas for their actions during the Gaza War. The accusations covered violating laws governing distinction and [[proportionality (international humanitarian law)|proportionality]] by Israel, the indiscriminate firing of rockets at civilian locations and [[2009 Hamas political violence in Gaza|extrajudicial violence]] within the Gaza Strip by Hamas.<ref name="AI_briefing" /><ref name="Under Cover of War">{{cite web| url=http://www.hrw.org/en/node/82359/section/5| title= Under Cover of War| date=April 20, 2009| publisher=HRW}}</ref> As of September 2009, some 360 complaints had been filed by individuals and NGOs at the prosecutor's office in the Hague calling for investigations into alleged crimes committed by Israel during the Gaza War.<ref name=JTA1>{{cite news|title=Palestinian teen accuses Israel in The Hague|date=September 1, 2009|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2009/09/01/1007573/palestinian-girl-accuses-israel-in-the-hague|accessdate=2009-09-01}}</ref>
  
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On September 15, 2009, a 574 page [[United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict|report by UN inquiry team]] was released, officially titled "Human Rights in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories: Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict". It concluded that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinian armed groups committed [[war crimes]] and possibly crimes against humanity.<ref>[http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2009/09/15/UNFFMGCReport.pdf Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict], UN Fact Finding Mission, September 15, 2009</ref> On October 16, 2009, the UN [[Human Rights Council]] endorsed the report.<ref name=APFOct16>{{Cite news
  
−
| title = UN rights council endorses damning Gaza report
  
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| work = APF
  
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| accessdate = 2009-10-16
  
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| date = 2009-10-16
  
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| url =http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gsdjgCX2JtwyHVtOEKfuVieGZaLw
  
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|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20091022011608/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gsdjgCX2JtwyHVtOEKfuVieGZaLw|archivedate=2009-10-22}}</ref> Israel's Defense Minister said that the report was distorted, falsified and not balanced.<ref name="BBC 2010-01-29"/>
  
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Human rights organizations have urged both Israel and Hamas to implement an independent investigation into the alleged violations of international law as stipulated by the Goldstone report.<ref name="Letter to Prime Minister Haniya">{{cite web|url=http://www.hrw.org/en/node/86177 |title=Letter to Prime Minister Haniya. Human Rights Watch, October, 2009 |publisher=Hrw.org |date=2009-10-20 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Laub |first=Karen |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=168015 |title=Rights group faults Israel's Cast Lead crimes probe |agency=Associated Press |date=7 February 2010 |accessdate=6 June 2012}}<!--Karen Laub doesn't appear 6 June 2012; available earlier or elsewhere?--></ref><ref>[http://www.btselem.org/english/press_releases/20100126.asp Human rights community to Israeli Prime Minister: Time is running out. Establish independent inquiry into Operation Cast Lead] B'tselem. 26 January 2010</ref>
  
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On April 1, 2011, Goldstone wrote an op-ed that appeared in ''The Washington Post'' in which he stated that he no longer believes the report's finding that Israel targeted Palestinian civilians as a matter of policy, the most serious accusation the report made against Israel.<ref>Goldstone, Richard. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/reconsidering-the-goldstone-report-on-israel-and-war-crimes/2011/04/01/AFg111JC_story.html Reconsidering the Goldstone Report on Israel and war crimes] ''The Washington Post''. 1 April 2011</ref> The three other signatories to the UNHRC report, [[Hina Jilani]], [[Christine Chinkin]] and [[Desmond Travers]], co-authored an op-ed that appeared in ''The Guardian'' in which they replied that there was no evidence that refutes any of the report's findings.<ref>Ed Pilkington, Conal Urquhart. [http://www.smh.com.au/world/gaza-report-authors-rebuke-goldstone-20110415-1dhxx.html Gaza report authors rebuke Goldstone] Sydney Morning Herold. 16 April 2011</ref>
  
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In April 2012, the International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected the Palestinian Authority's (PA) request that Israel be investigated for claimed war crimes in Gaza in 2009, holding that since the PA is recognized by the UN General Assembly as an [[United Nations General Assembly observers|"observer"]] rather than a "state", the ICC lacked jurisdiction to hear its request.<ref>{{Cite news
  
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| title = ICC rebuffs Palestinians’ Gaza war crimes case against Israel
  
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| work = Los Angeles Times
  
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| accessdate = 5/4/2012
  
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| date = 3/4/2012
  
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| url =http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/04/icc-rebuffs-palestinians-war-crimes-case-against-israel.html
  
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}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=ICC Ruling in Favor of Israel May Force Palestinian Authority to Change Course |url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/04/04/icc-ruling-in-favor-of-israel-may-force-palestinian-authority-to-change-course/ |date=April 4, 2012 |publisher=Algemeiner.com |accessdate=5 April 2012}}</ref> The decision was heavily criticized by human rights groups.<ref>{{cite news|title=ICC rejects bid for Gaza war crimes tribunal|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/04/20124318028457229.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|accessdate=5 April 2012}}</ref>
  
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==Media==
  
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{{Main|Media and the Gaza War}}
  
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[[File:Photojournalists in 2008-2009 Israel-Gaza conflict.jpg|thumb|Photojournalists during the conflict]]
  
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International news networks named the conflict "War in Gaza" and focused on the assault. Israeli media called it the "War in the South" ({{lang-he|מלחמה בדרום}} ''Milẖama BaDarom'') and dispatched reporters to Israeli towns hit by rockets.<ref name="AFP 2009-01-14">{{Cite news|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jDNXSKy5hAvIp-4y37J-q3q_Trzw|title=Israel media on defensive over Gaza war coverage|date=January 14, 2009|publisher=Agence France-Presse|accessdate=February 23, 2010|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140228173443/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jDNXSKy5hAvIp-4y37J-q3q_Trzw|archivedate=February 28, 2014}}</ref> Al Jazeera suggested that it was a war against Palestinian civilians with the title "War on Gaza".<ref name="Bill Meyer 2008-01-13">{{Cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2009Jan13/0,4670,MLIsraelCoveringtheWar,00.html|title=Despite Gaza toll, Israeli media focus on Israel|last1=Teibel|first1=Amy|last2=Deitcg|first2=Ian|date=January 13, 2009|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=February 23, 2010|work=Fox News}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref> There was limited reporter access to the war zone. The [[Foreign Press Association of Israel]] released a statement saying, "The unprecedented denial of access to Gaza for the world's media amounts to a severe violation of [[press freedom]] and puts the state of Israel in the company of a handful of regimes around the world which regularly keep journalists from doing their jobs."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/07/world/middleeast/07media.html |date=2009-01-06 |title=Israel Puts Media Clamp on Gaza |first=Ethan |last=Bronner |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>
  
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Media facilities in Gaza, both foreign and domestic, came under Israeli fire in the military campaign.<ref name=CPJ>{{cite web|title=Airstrike hits media building in Gaza|date=January 9, 2009|url=http://cpj.org/2009/01/press-under-fire-in-gaza-again.php|accessdate=2009-01-11|publisher=[[Committee to Protect Journalists]]}}</ref> On one occasion a [[BM-21|Grad rocket]] may have been launched from a location near the television studios in the Al-Shuruk tower in Gaza City. Although the Israeli recording of a reporter describing a rocket launch was during the initial aerial bombardment phase the tower was only bombed in the final few days.<ref name="Al-Arabia-Grad">{{cite news |title=Gaza reporter caught on tape confirming Hamas fired rockets near TV offices |author=Yoav Stern |date=2009-01-20 |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/gaza-reporter-caught-on-tape-confirming-hamas-fired-rockets-near-tv-offices-1.268513 |publisher=Haaretz |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref> On December 29, the IDF destroyed the facilities and headquarters of [[Al-Aqsa TV]] (though broadcasts continue from elsewhere), and a week later, IDF soldiers entered the building and seized the equipment. The Israelis also hacked into the station's signal and broadcast an animated clip of Hamas' leadership being gunned down. On January 5, the IDF bombed the offices of the Hamas-affiliated Al-Risala newsweekly.<ref name=CPJ/> On January 9, the IDF hit the Johara tower of Gaza City, which houses more than 20 international news organizations, including Turkish, French, and Iranian outlets.<ref name="maan_20press">{{Cite news| title=Jawwara building, with more than 20 press offices inside, hit by Israeli missiles|date=2009-01-09|publisher=[[Ma'an News Agency]]|url=http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=34807 |accessdate=2009-01-10 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5djL0ieyQ |archivedate=2009-01-10}}</ref> The [[IDF Spokesperson's Unit]] said that the building had not been targeted, though it may have sustained damage from a nearby Israeli strike.
  
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On January 12, two Arab journalists from Jerusalem working for an [[Iran]]ian television station were arrested by [[Israel Police|Israeli Police]] and indicted in the Jerusalem District Court for violating military censorship protocols. They had reported on the IDF ground offensive hours before they were cleared to do so. The journalists maintained that they merely stated what was already being said in the international media.<ref>[http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/63256/2-arabs-charged-with-defying-idf-censor.html 2 Arabs charged with defying IDF censor, 13 January 2009 Tuesday 16:40<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
  
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Media relations also played an important role, with the use of [[new media]] (up to and including [[cyber warfare]]) on the part of both Israel and Hamas.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ward|first=Will|title=Social media and the Gaza conflict|url=http://www.arabmediasociety.com/topics/index.php?t_article=242|work=Arab Media & Society|publisher=Arab Media & Society|accessdate=19 March 2011|year=2009}}</ref> ''Haaretz'' reported that Israeli [[Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel|Foreign Minister]] [[Tzipi Livni]] "instructed senior ministry officials to open an aggressive and diplomatic international public relations campaign to gain support for Israel Defense Forces operations in the Gaza Strip". Israeli officials at embassies and consulates worldwide have mounted campaigns in local media, and to that end have recruited people who speak the native language. Israel has also opened an international media centre in [[Sderot]].<ref name="haaretz_israel_PR">{{cite news |last=Ravid |first=Barak |title=Israel to mount emergency international PR effort in wake of Gaza campaign |date=27 December 2008 |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel-to-mount-emergency-international-pr-effort-in-wake-of-gaza-campaign-1.260340 |accessdate=27 December 2008}}</ref> To improve Israeli public relations, the [[Immigrant Absorption Minister of Israel|Ministry of Immigrant Absorption]] has recruited 1,000 volunteers with the objective of flooding news websites and blogs that the ministry term as anti-Israeli with pro-Israeli opinions. Volunteers proficient in languages other than Hebrew were particularly sought after.<ref>{{Cite news| title=Hasbara spam alert|author=Silverstein, Richard|date=January 9, 2009|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/09/israel-foreign-ministry-media|publisher=The Guardian|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| title=Latest hasbara weapon: 'Army of bloggers'|author= Jonathan Beck|date= January 18, 2009|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1232292897417&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull|publisher=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Israel recruits 'army of bloggers' to combat anti-Zionist Web sites |author=Cnaan Liphshiz |date=2009-01-19 |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-recruits-army-of-bloggers-to-combat-anti-zionist-web-sites-1.268393 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=19 January 2009 |accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| title = Pro-Israel media: Bloggers join media war|url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3663679,00.html|date = 2009-01-29|accessdate = 2009-02-16|agency = [[Yedioth Ahronoth]]|publisher = [[Ynet]]|archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5ecPx6GPS|archivedate = 2009-02-16}}</ref>
  
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Foreign Press Branch head Avital Leibovich believes the "new media" is another war zone, stating, "We have to be relevant there." As part of its [[public-relations]] campaign, the Israeli army opened a YouTube channel "through which it will disseminate footage of precision bombing operations in the Gaza Strip, as well as aid distribution and other footage of interest to the international community".<ref>{{cite news|last=Socol |first=Max |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1230456531523 |title=IDF launches YouTube Gaza channel|work=The Jerusalem Post|accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28450663/ |title=Israel's military takes PR battle to YouTube|publisher=MSNBC |date=2008-12-31 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>
  
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==Reactions==
  
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{{Main|International reaction to the Gaza War}}
  
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{{See also|Antisemitic incidents during the Gaza War}}
  
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[[File:2009 Anti Israel Protest Tanzania.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Protest against the war in [[Dar es Salaam]], Tanzania.]]
  
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[[File:Israel peace rally, London Jan 11 2009 P.JPG|thumb|300px|Protest against the war in London, [[UK]].]]
  
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While Israel defined its operation as a war against Hamas, Palestinian representatives and individuals, among others, viewed it as a "war on the [[Palestinian people]]".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/12/29/gaza.israel.strikes/|date=December 29, 2008|title=Sources: Gaza death toll from Israeli offensive exceeds 375|publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/4325805/Gaza-phosphorus-casualties-relive-Israels-three-week-war.html|title=Gaza phosphorus casualties relive Israel's three-week war|date=January 23, 2009|author=Tim Butcher|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Israel's religious war|author=Paul Woodward|url=http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090323/GLOBALBRIEFING/890200661/1001|date=March 23, 2009|accessdate=2010-02-24}}{{dead link|date=November 2013}}</ref>
  
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The United Nations [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]] issued a statement on December 28, 2008, calling "for an immediate halt to all violence".<ref name="worsnip1">
  
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{{Cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSTRE4BR0H920081228
  
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|title=U.N. Security Council calls for end to Gaza violence|last=Worsnip
  
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|first=Patrick
  
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|coauthors=Todd Eastham|date=December 28, 2008
  
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|publisher=Reuters
  
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|accessdate=December 28, 2008}}
  
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</ref> The Arab League,<ref>
  
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{{Cite news
  
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|title=A rush to broker peace in Gaza
  
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|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0106/p01s02-usfp.html}}
  
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</ref> the [[European Union]] and many nations made similar calls.<ref>
  
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{{Cite news
  
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|last=Castle
  
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|first=Stephen
  
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|coauthors=Katrin Bennhold
  
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|title=Europe Sends Two Missions to Promote a Cease-Fire
  
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|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/05/world/europe/05union.html| newspaper=The New York Times
  
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| date=2009-01-05
  
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| accessdate=2010-04-02}}
  
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</ref> On January 9, 2009, following an earlier, failed attempt at a ceasefire resolution,<ref name=Reuters>
  
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{{Cite news
  
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| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSL4657519._CH_.2400
  
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| title=Israeli tanks, soldiers invade Gaza Strip
  
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| publisher=Reuters
  
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| date=2009-01-04
  
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| author = Nidal al-Mughrabi
  
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| accessdate=2009-01-04}}
  
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</ref> the United Nations Security Council passed [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1860|Resolution 1860]] calling for "an immediate, durable and fully respected cease-fire" leading to a full Israeli withdrawal and an end to Gaza arms smuggling, by 14 votes to one abstention (the United States).<ref>
  
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{{Cite news
  
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|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/09/gaza-us-security-council-abstention
  
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|title=White House 'behind' US volte-face on ceasefire call January 9, 2009
  
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|newspaper=The Guardian
  
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| location=London
  
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| first=Julian
  
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| last=Borger
  
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| date=2009-01-09
  
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| accessdate=2010-04-02}}
  
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</ref> The resolution was ignored by both Israel and Hamas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7820027.stm |title=UN ceasefire call goes unheeded |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-01-09 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>
  
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[[File:International reaction to the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict.png|thumb|right|500px|Governmental proclamations regarding the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict {{legend|#000000|Israel-Gaza}} {{legend|#0F37DB|States that endorsed the Israeli position/defined Israel's action as falling within its right to defense.}}{{legend|#918BFE|States that condemned Hamas action only.}}{{legend|#9ADD84|States that called for an end to hostilities, and condemned neither/both belligerents.}}{{legend|#FF7777|States that condemned Israeli action only.}}{{legend|#F20000|States that endorsed the Hamas position/defined Hamas' actions as falling within its right of resistance.}}{{legend|#DCDCDC|States that made no official statement on the conflict.}}{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}]]
  
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Many governments expressed positions on the conflict, most condemning both belligerents, or neither of them. Thirty-four states, mostly members of the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation|Organisation of the Islamic Conference]], condemned Israel's attacks exclusively. Three of them expressed support for Hamas' operations or defined them as falling within its right of resistance. Nineteen states, mostly members of the [[European Union]], condemned Hamas' attacks exclusively. Thirteen of them expressed support for Israel's operations or defined them as falling within Israel's right to self-defense.
  
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Bolivia, Jordan, Mauritania and Venezuela significantly downscaled or severed their relations with Israel in protest of the offensive.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/05/content_10603389.htm |title=PM: Jordan reserves rights to reconsider relations with states, especially Israel|publisher=Xinhua|date=2009-01-05 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2009/01/2009116151135307776.html |title=Qatar, Mauritania cut Israel ties |publisher=Al Jazeera|accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>
  
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The conflict saw worldwide civilian demonstrations for and against both sides.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20090121132203/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h9KysGfr_McbPBkSWsjXJzvto83A Major cities stage fresh protests over Gaza], AFP 11-01-2009</ref>
  
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The conflict triggered a wave of [[Antisemitic incidents during the Gaza War|reprisal attacks]] against Jewish targets in Europe and elsewhere.<ref>Philippe Naughton, [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article5459435.ece "Gaza conflict fuels anti-Semitic attacks across Europe"], Times Online 06-01-2009</ref> The worldwide number of recorded antisemitic incidents during the conflict more than tripled the number of such incidents in the same period of the previous year, marking a two-decade high.<ref name=AS_high>[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1232643745524&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Highest anti-Semitism rates in 2 decades], ''The Jerusalem Post'', 25-01-2009</ref>
  
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The British government reviewed its export licenses to Israel for violations of EU and national arms export control laws and revoked five export licenses for replacement parts and other equipment for [[Saar 4.5 class missile boat|Sa'ar 4.5]] missile boats used by Israel because they were used in the Gaza offensive, although 16 export licenses for other British defense items to Israel were approved.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.K.: We revoked Israel arms licenses, but it's no embargo |author=Barak Ravid |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/u-k-we-revoked-israel-arms-licenses-but-it-s-no-embargo-1.279872 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=July 13, 2009 |accessdate=April 9, 2012}}</ref>
  
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The conflict has been called the Gaza Massacre ({{lang-ar|مجزرة غزة}}) in the Arab world.<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=Psychoanalytic Dialogues|publisher=Routeldge|last=Suchet|first=Melanie|title=Face to Face|volume=20|issue=2|date=March 2010|pages=pp. 158–171, p. 167}}</ref><ref>Cohen, Lauren. [http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article82673.ece Achmat weighs in on Israeli 'war architect']{{dead link|date=November 2013}} ''[[Sunday Times (South Africa)|Sunday Times]]''. July 26, 2009. Retrieved October 30, 2009.</ref><ref>May, Jackie. [http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article56121.ece Seeking the brutal truth]{{dead link|date=November 2013}} [[Sunday Times (South Africa)|Sunday Times]]. September 1, 2009</ref> [[Khaled Mashal]], Hamas' leader in Damascus called for suicide bombings. [[Ismail Haniyeh]], [[Governance of the Gaza Strip|Prime Minister]] of the Hamas government in Gaza, said: "Palestine has never witnessed an uglier massacre."<ref name="Hamas massacare">[http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Israeli-Airstrikes-On-Gaza-Hamas-Leader-Ismail-Haniyeh-Condemns-Ugliest-Massacre/Article/200812415194411 Hamas Condemns Gaza 'Massacre']. News.sky.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref>
  
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On December 28, 2008, a Palestinian laborer working in the [[Israeli settlement]] of [[Modi'in Illit]] struck his supervisor on the head with a sledehammer, stabbed and injured four civilians, and beat up several others. He was shot and severely wounded by an emergency response team member as he attempted to flee. His actions were suspected of being a reprisal for Israel's attack. The worker had been employed in the city for about 10 years with no previous trouble, but had spoken out against the war shortly before his rampage.<ref>{{cite news |title=Palestinian stabs 4 in Modi'in Illit |author=Judy Siegel-Itzkovich |coauthor=Etgar Lefkovits |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=126688 |publisher=The Jerusalem Post |date=29 December 2008 |accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref>
  
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===Reactions in Israel===
  
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The war provoked mixed reactions inside Israel, with the Jewish majority largely supporting it, and the Arab minority mostly opposing it. A poll taken on January 8, 2009, showed that 91% of the Jewish public supported the war, and 4% opposed it, while a separate poll conducted from January 4–6 showed a 94% approval of the war among Jews and 85% disapproval among [[Israeli Arabs]].<ref name="INSS">[http://www.inss.org.il/publications.php?cat=21&incat=&read=2634 המכון למחקרי ביטחון לאומי > Publications > Periodicals]. INSS. Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref>
  
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During the war, Arab protests took place across the country. Within hours of the war's start, the Higher Follow-Up Committee for Arab citizens of Israel met in [[Nazareth]], and declared a "day of wrath and mourning for the martyrs among our compatriots in the Gaza Strip", and a general strike for the following day. Arab demonstrations took place across the country almost every day during the offensive, and were described as the "largest Arab demonstrations in Israel's history". Arab parties and parliamentarians in the Knesset also opposed the offensive.<ref>[http://www.palestine-studies.org/files/pdf/jps/10332.pdf The Palestinians in Israel and Operation Cast Lead: A view from Haifa]. palestine-studies.org</ref><ref name="Massacre Claims 3">[http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/01/2009110134856498809.html Mass protests held against Gaza war]. English.aljazeera.net (2009-01-11). Retrieved on 2011-06-18.</ref> In Jerusalem, Arabs held violent demonstrations, which included rock-throwing, arson, and vandalism of Jewish graves. Police arrested dozens of rioters. At the [[University of Haifa]], [[Tel Aviv University]] and the [[Hebrew University of Jerusalem]], Jewish leftist and Arab students staged anti-war demonstrations, which were met with pro-war counter-demonstrations. Some confrontations occurred despite police keeping protesters apart.<ref>[http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129097 Anti-IDF Protests in Israel. Israel National News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
  
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The legal rights agency [[Adalah]] produced a report highly critical of the Israeli police and court system's response to the opposition to Operation Cast Lead. The report said that the Israeli authorities had shown a lack of tolerance for protests, and had damaged the freedom of expression of those opposing the attacks on Gaza. The report said that the actions showed the lessons of the [[Or Commission]] had not been learned. The Israeli Ministry of Justice responded that the risk to human life and public welfare had justified their actions.<ref>{{Cite news |title=How Israel silenced its Gaza war protesters |newspaper=Haaretz |author=Akiva Eldar |date=22.09.09 |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/how-israel-silenced-its-gaza-war-protesters-1.7477}}</ref>
  
   
 
==See also==
  
==See also==
  +
* [[Battle of Gaza (disambiguation)]]
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* [[2008 Israel–Hamas ceasefire]]
  
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* [[Gaza conflict (disambiguation)]]
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* [[2008–2009 Israel–Gaza foreign involvement]]
  
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* [[Civil defense in Israel]]
  
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* [[EDO MBM Technology v. Smash EDO campaign]]
  
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* [[Gaza Strip smuggling tunnels]]
  
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* [[Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades]] (Hamas' military wing)
  
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* [[List of modern conflicts in the Middle East]]
  
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* [[Military equipment of Israel]]
  
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* [[Palestinian domestic weapons production]]
  
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* [[Palestinian political violence]]
  
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* [[Shurrab family]]
  
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* [[Israel–Iran proxy conflict]]
  
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==References==
  
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{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
  
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==External links==
  
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{{Commons|2008-2009 Gaza War}}
  
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* [http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/war_on_gaza/ Aljazeera coverage]
  
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* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7812136.stm Gaza crisis: key maps and timeline], BBC News.
  
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* [http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/news/gaza/ CNN coverage].
  
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* [http://dawn.com/In-Dpth/gaza.html Dawn coverage].
  
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* {{Guardiantopic|world/series/gaza-war-crimes-investigation|Gaza war crimes investigation}}
  
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* [http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/opcast/default.htm IDF Spokesperson's Website on Operation Cast Lead]
  
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* [http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/pages/001/page_45.asp Radio France International coverage].
  
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* [http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/g_report_e1.pdf Hamas and the Terrorist Threat from the Gaza Strip The Main Findings of the Goldstone ReportVersus the Factual Findings]{{dead link|date=November 2013}}, [[Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center]]
  
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==Further reading==
  
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* {{Cite book |author=Gerald Steinberg and Anne Herzberg |title= The Goldstone Report 'Reconsidered': A Critical Analysis|year= 2011|isbn=9659179308}}
  
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{{Gaza War}}
  
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{{Gaza crisis}}
  
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{{Israeli-Palestinian conflict}}
  
   
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{{Disambiguation}}
 
{{Wikipedia|Gaza War}}
  
{{Wikipedia|Gaza War}}
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[[Category:Gaza War|Gaza War]]
  
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[[Category:2008 in the Gaza Strip]]
  
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[[Category:2009 in the Gaza Strip]]
  

Latest revision as of 16:32, 16 August 2020

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