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<div style="text-align: center; margin: 1em 0; padding: 7px; background-color: #F9F9F9; border: 1px solid #888; box-shadow: 1px 1px 6px #444; width: auto;">
[[User:Dnkrumah|Da'oud Nkrumah]]{{·}} [[User talk:Dnkrumah|Talk]]{{·}}[[Hamas]]{{·}} [[Hezbollah]]{{·}} [[Iran]]{{·}} [[Republic of Lakotah]]{{·}}</div>
==Testing/Sandbox==
This page is used to format and edit. It will sometime have information on it and sometime it will not. '''Do Not Edit This Page Without First Getting Permission From Dnkrumah'''

==Mock Up Here==
{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict=Gaza War
|partof=the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]
|image=[[File:Gaza conflict map.png|300px]]
|caption=Map of Gaza; Map of Regionhow
|date={{Start-date|December 27, 2008}} – {{End-date|January 18, 2009}}
|place=[[Gaza Strip]] and [[South District (Israel)|Southern Israel]]
|result=
*Israeli tactical military victory.<ref name='Aviation Week 2009-05-11'/><ref name="jpost.com"/><ref name="nytimes.com"/>
*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" />
*[[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
| 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>
*Number of [[List of Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel, 2009|rockets]] being fired from Gaza reduced drastically.
*[[Gaza War#Post War Military Assessment|See results]]
|combatant1= {{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Israel]] ([[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]], [[Shin Bet|ISA]]) |combatant2= {{Flag icon|Palestinian Authority}} [[Gaza Strip]]<br>
* [[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22 px]] [[Hamas]]
*  [[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine|PFLP]]
* [[:File:PIJ emblem.png|22 px]]<!--Non free file removed by DASHBot--> [[Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine|PIJ]]
* (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/>
|commander1=
{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Ehud Olmert]]<br /><small>[[Prime Minister of Israel|Prime Minister]]</small><br />
{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Ehud Barak]]<br /><small>[[Defense Minister of Israel|Minister of Defense]]</small><br />
{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Gabi Ashkenazi]]<br /><small>[[Chief of General Staff (Israel)|Chief of General Staff]]</small><br />
{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Yoav Galant]]<br /><small>[[Southern Command (Israel)|Southern Command]]</small><br />
{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Ido Nehoshtan]]<br /><small>[[Israeli Air Force|Air Force]]</small><br />
{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Eli Marom]]<br /><small>[[Israeli Navy|Navy]]</small><br />
{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Eyal Eisenberg]]<br /><small>[[Gaza Division]]</small><br />
{{Flag icon|Israel}} [[Yuval Diskin]]<br /><small>[[Shin Bet|Internal Security Service]]</small>
|commander2= 
[[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 />
[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Ismail Haniyeh]]<br />
[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Said Seyam]]{{KIA|alt=yes}}<br />
[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Mohammed Deif]]<br />
[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Ahmed Jabari]]<br />
[[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 |publisher=Telegraph |date=2009-01-02 |accessdate=2010-06-05 | location=London}}</ref><br />[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Osama Mazini]]<br />
[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Nizar Rayan]]{{KIA|alt=yes}}<ref name="Israel bombs Gaza for seventh day after killing Hamas leader"/><br />
[[File:Flag of Hamas.svg|22px]] [[Mahmoud al-Zahar]]<br />
[[:File:PIJ emblem.png|22 px]]<!--Non free file removed by DASHBot--> [[Ramadan Abdullah Mohammad Shallah|Ramadan Shallah]]
|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|publisher=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 |date= |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref><br />
*[[F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16I ''Sufa'']] aircraft<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>
*[[AH-64 Apache|AH-64 ''Saraph'']] and [[AH-1 Cobra|AH-1F Cobra]] attack helicopters<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>
*[[Elbit Hermes 450]], [[IAI Heron|Heron]] [[Unmanned aerial vehicles]]<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>
*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|publisher=United Press International|accessdate=April 7, 2010}}</ref>
*[[M113 armored personnel carrier|Nagmash]], [[IDF Achzarit|Achzarit]], [[IDF Puma|Puma]], and other armored personnel carriers<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>
*100 armored [[IDF Caterpillar D9|CAT D9]] and other armored bulldozers<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/><ref name="Aviation Week 2009-02-23"/>
*[[Super Dvora Mk III|Super Dvora patrol boats]],<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/> and [[Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boat]]s
*[[Soltam M-71]], [[M109 howitzer|M109]] howitzers, and [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]]s<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>
*[[B-300]], [[MATADOR (weapon)|Matador]], and [[Spike (missile)|Spike]], anti-tank missiles<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>
*[[VIPeR|Viper]] [[military robot]]s<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/>
*[[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|publisher=The 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>
*[[BM-21 Grad]] and [[Qassam rocket|Qassam]] rockets<ref name="Haaretz 2009-01-15"/>
* [[9M14 Malyutka|AT-3 Sagger]], [[Konkurs|Konkurs AF-5]], 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], IICC 8 April 2008 @pg. 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], IICC 8 April 2008 @pg. 34</ref>
*[[AK-47]] [[assault rifle]]s
*[[RPK|RPK light machineguns]]
*[[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], IICC 8 April 2008 @pg 39</ref>
*Heavy machine guns<ref name="terrorism-info.org.il"/>
*Mortars of various calibres<ref name="Haaretz 2009-01-15"/>
*[[Improvised explosive device]]s and other booby traps<ref name="Aviation Week 2009-02-23"/><ref name="Belfast Telegraph 2010-02-04"/>
*Anti aircraft missiles<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/news/sources-hamas-fired-anti-aircraft-missiles-at-iaf-planes-1.267905 Sources: Hamas fired anti-aircraft missiles at IAF planes], Haaretz, Amos Harel,  11 January 2009</ref> including [[SA-7]]s<ref name="terrorism-info.org.il"/>
*Suicide bombers<ref name="Haaretz 2009-01-15"/><ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite web|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 – Haaretz Daily Newspaper &#124; Israel News |publisher=Haaretz.com |date= |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB"/>
|casualties1='''Total killed''': 13<br />Soldiers: 10<small>([[friendly fire]]: 4<ref name=latimes2009jan13>[http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-gaza13-2009jan13,0,6944643.story Israel steps up attacks in Gaza; Hamas indicates it's open to a truce]. By Sebastian Rotella and Rushdi abu Alouf. January 13, 2009. [[LA Times]].</ref>)</small><br />Civilians: 3<br />
'''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/].</ref><br />Civilians: 182<ref name=ocha2009jan26/>
|casualties2='''Total killed''': 1,417 <small>([[PCHR]]),<ref name="PCHRCASFIG">{{cite press release
 | 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.
 | publisher = Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
 | date = 19 March 2009
 | url = http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2008/36-2009.html
 | accessdate = 19 March 2009
 }}</ref></small> 1,166 <small>([[Israeli Defence 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>([[Israeli Defence Forces|IDF]])<ref name="idf_updated_death_toll" /></small><br />700<small>([[Hamas]])<ref name="AFP 2010-11-01" /></small><br />Civilians: 926 <small>([[PCHR]]),<ref name="PCHRCASFIG" /></small> 295 <small>([[Israeli Defence Forces|IDF]])<ref name="idf_updated_death_toll" /></small><ref name="idf_updated_death_toll">Lappin, Yaakov. [http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:xRJugqynigkJ:www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite%3Fcid%3D1237727552054%26pagename%3DJPArticle%252FShowFull+http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite%3Fcid%3D1237727552054%26pagename%3DJPost%252FJPArticle%252FShowFull&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk IDF releases Cast Lead casualty], ''The Jerusalem Post'', March 26, 2009.</ref>

'''Total wounded''': 5,303<small>([[PCHR]])<ref name="PCHRCASFIG" /></small>

'''Total captured''': 120<small> ([[Israel Defence Forces|IDF]])</small>
|casualties3=One [[Egyptian army|Egyptian]] border guard officer killed and left three guards 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" /><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'"] ''news.bcc.co.uk'' 19 January 2009 Link retrieved 19–01–09</ref>

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=Middle East &#124; Gaza: Humanitarian situation |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-01-30 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>
|notes='''*'''255 policemen were killed ([[PCHR]]).<ref name="PCHRCASFIG" />}}

<!--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. -->
The '''Gaza War''' was a three-week armed conflict that took place in the [[Gaza Strip]] and [[Southern District (Israel)|Southern]] [[Israel]] during the winter of 2008–2009. In an escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israel responded to rocket fire and arms importation with military force in an offensive titled "'''Operation Cast Lead'''". Israel [[Timeline of the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict#27 December 2008|opened]] the attack with a surprise air strike against the Gaza Strip on December 27, 2008.<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> Israel's stated aim was to stop [[Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel|rocket fire]]<ref>[http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE50423320090105 TIMELINE – Israeli-Hamas violence since truce ended], Reuters 05-01-2009</ref> from and arms import into the territory.<ref>Bright, Arthur. [http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1226/p99s01-duts.html Israel set to launch ‘limited operation’ in Gaza], [[Christian Science Monitor]], December 26, 2008.</ref><ref name="guardian.co.uk">{{Cite news|author=Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem |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 &#124; World news &#124; guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian |date= 2009-09-16|accessdate=2010-05-08 | location=London}}</ref> Israeli forces attacked military targets, police stations, and government buildings in the opening assault.<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. -->

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, [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] forces 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 previously and struck Palestinian rocket-launching units.<ref name="Israeli Arsenal"/> [[Hamas]] intensified its rocket and mortar attacks against 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] m ''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>http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1254163545960&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129467# |title=Another Miracle: Rocket Hits Empty Synagogue – Defense/Middle East – Israel News |publisher=Israel National News |date= |accessdate=2010-05-08}}</ref> Israeli politicians ultimately decided against striking deeper within Gaza amidst concerns of higher casualties on both sides and increasing international criticism. The war 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>
<!--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. -->

The conflict resulted in between 1,166 and 1,417 Palestinian and 13 Israeli deaths.<ref>Al-Mughrabi, Nidal. [http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre5053r7-us-palestinians-israel/ Israel tightens grip on urban parts of Gaza]</ref> The high number of civilian casualties led some critics to accuse Israel of committing a [[massacre]].<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-why-do-they-hate-the-west-so-much-we-will-ask-1230046.html</ref> Other critics accused Hamas of using civilians as [[human shields]]<ref name="humanshields"/> and said that Israel went to great lengths to avoid harming civilians.<ref name="humanshields">
* Colonel Richard Kemp, [http://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=378&PID=0&IID=3026 HAMAS, THE GAZA WAR AND ACCOUNTABILITY UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW] 18 June 2009 "... Hamas fighters who previously wore black or khaki uniforms, discarded them when Operation Cast Lead began, to blend in with the crowds and use them as human shields."
* [[Allan Dershowitz]], [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123085925621747981.html Israel's Policy Is Perfectly 'Proportionate'], The Wall Street Journal, JANUARY 2, 2009. "... The Hamas rockets that were protected by the human shields were then used against Israeli civilians."</ref> In September 2009, a [[United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict|UN special mission]], headed by Justice [[Richard Goldstone]], produced a controversial report accusing both Palestinian militants and Israeli Defense Forces of war crimes 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], MFA, January, 2010.</ref> Following the war, Hamas acknowledged the deaths of only 48 of its fighters. However, in November 2010, Hamas Interior Minister Fathi Hammad acknowledged that as many as 700 fighters belonging to Hamas and affiliated factions were killed. His admission was consistent with Israeli estimates of at least 709 “terror operatives” killed during the operation.<ref name="AFP 2010-11-01">{{cite news|title=Hamas says 300 fighters killed in Gaza war|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101101/wl_mideast_afp/israelpalestiniansconflictgazahamastoll|agency=AFP|date=2010-11-01}}</ref><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>
<!--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. -->

==Background==
{{Main|Israeli-Palestinian conflict|Gaza–Israel conflict|Rocket and mortar attacks on southern Israel|Blockade of the Gaza Strip}}
:''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]]''
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, 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>[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> Israel maintains that its occupation of Gaza, as defined by [[s:Fourth Geneva Convention#Article 6|Article 6]] of the [[Fourth Geneva Convention]], ended following the completion of its [[Israel's unilateral disengagement plan|unilateral disengagement plan]] in 2005, asserting that Israel has no functions of government in the Gaza Strip.<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 web|last=Sabel |first=Robbie |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1202657415718&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull |title=Analysis: Is Gaza blockade a legitimate tool of war? &#124; Israel &#124; Jerusalem Post |publisher=Fr.jpost.com |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>

[[Palestinian legislative election, 2006|January 2006 legislative elections]] brought [[Hamas]] to power of [[Palestinian National Authority]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rose |first=David |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/04/gaza200804?printable=true&currentPage=all |title=The Gaza Bombshell &#124; Politics |publisher=Vanity Fair |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Since the formation of a Hamas-led Palestinian Authority government [[Israel]] and the [[Quartet on the Middle East]] imposed [[2006–2007 economic sanctions against the Palestinian National Authority|economic sanctions]] against the [[Palestinian territories]].<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|publisher=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</ref> In 2007, Hamas [[Battle of Gaza (2007)|overthrew]] [[Fatah]]. [[President of the Palestinian National Authority]] [[Mahmoud Abbas]] then dismissed Hamas-led government and formed government in the [[West Bank]], bypassing the Hamas-dominated parliament.<ref name="Gaza journalists caught up in Hamas-Fatah legitimacy argument">{{Cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-02/09/c_13170007.htm |title=Gaza journalists caught up in Hamas-Fatah legitimacy argument |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date= |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>

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 155mm artillery shells into the Gaza Strip, killing 59 Palestinians and injuring 270.
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" />

===2008 six-month lull===
{{Main|2008 Israel–Hamas ceasefire}}
[[Image: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]]]]
[[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]. (pdf) [[Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center]]. Retrieved January 14, 2009. pp. 5–7.'' Drop in rocket fire calculated from data provided in report.''</ref>]]
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|publisher=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/>

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's 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?_r=3&fta=y| publisher=NY Times| date=2008-06-18 | first=Isabel | last=Kershner | accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref> Hamas said all the 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], Independant, June 18, 2008</ref> Defense Ministry Official Amos Gilad, the Israeli envoy to the talks, stressed that Israel demanded a total 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 any attacks from Gaza.<ref name="Israel confirms Hamas ceasefire deal" />

In exchange, Israel agreed to ease the embargo and agreed 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 has promised to stop the smuggling of arms and weapons from its territory into Gaza.<ref name="Israel confirms Hamas ceasefire deal" />

====Implementation====
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 name="Reutersviolations">[http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L26679526.htm FACTBOX-Israel, Palestinians trade blame for truce violations ] Reuters. 26 June 2008</ref> Several mortars and Qassam rockets were fired at Israel in late June, with no casualties.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3559761,00.html Qassam lands in Sderot backyard], YNET, June 24, 2008</ref><ref name="Mortar shells land near southern kibbutz">[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3561051,00.html Mortar shells land near southern kibbutz], YNET, June 27, 2008</ref><ref name="Mortar shells land near southern kibbutz" /><ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3561413,00.html Palestinians fire mortars at Karni crossing], YNET, June 29, 2008</ref><ref>[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1214726165607&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Two Kassam rockets lands in western Negev region; none wounded], JPost, June 30, 2008</ref>

Israel and Hamas accused each other of bad faith and of violations of the Egyptian-mediated truce, pointing respectively that rockets from Gaza never stopped entirely and that weapons smuggling was not halted while major renewal of goods' flow into Gaza was never allowed and Israel conducted raids in Gaza killing Hamas fighters.<ref name="nyt-truce">{{Cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/20/world/middleeast/20mideast.html?scp=2&sq=Ethan%20Bronner%20December%202008%20gaza&st=cse|title=Gaza Truce May Be Revived by Necessity |last=BRONNER|first=ETHAN |date=2008-12-19|publisher=New York Times|accessdate=2009-02-12}}</ref><ref name="Israeli leaders 'to topple Hamas'" /><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>

===Conflict escalates===
{{See|Violence in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict 2008}}

====November 4 incident====
On November 4, 2008, Israel launched a military strike on Hamas to destroy what Israel said was a tunnel on the Gaza-Israel border dug by militants to infiltrate into Israel and abduct soldiers. 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 250m 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 fire at Israeli troops. An Israeli airstrike on Hamas mortar positions then killed five Hamas fighters.<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 web|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|publisher=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|publisher=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|source=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>

Intensity of rocket attacks targeted at Israeli cities near Gaza sharply increased during November 2008, approaching pre-truce levels.<ref name="novattacks">{{Cite news|accessdate=2009-01-08|date=November 15, 2008|title=Hamas militants step up rocket attacks|source=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/>

====December====
On December 13, Israel announced that it was in favor of 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 and not be allowed to close or reduce commercial traffic through 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 told 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> 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" />

On December 18, a day before the truce officially expired, Hamas declared the end of the cease-fire.<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 launched 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>

On December 19, Hamas refused to enter talks to renew the six-month truce and Hamas spokesman announced that it would not extend the cease-fire.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5367679.ece Hamas says it will not renew ceasefire], Times, December 19, 2009</ref><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 21, 2008 | url = http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1048055.html}}</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 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 name="Israeli leaders 'to topple Hamas'">{{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>

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 supported the truce until recently, suggested to take active military actions against the Hamas government in Gaza.<ref name="Israeli defense minister: Ongoing rocket fire unacceptable">{{Cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/22/content_10543536.htm |title=Israeli defense minister: Ongoing rocket fire unacceptable_English_Xinhua |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=2008-12-22 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref>

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 come to an end.<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 Israeli Negev on that day.<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> Meanwhile, the Israeli military killed three Palestinian militants caught placing explosives on the border.

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's television station.<ref name = "Flare-up dims truce hopes along Israel-Gaza border">{{Cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4BM2ZP20081224| title=Flare-up dims truce hopes along Israel-Gaza border | publisher= 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 commenced an operation code-named "Operation Oil Stain". 87 Palestinian mortar shells, [[Katyusha rocket launcher|Katyusha]] and [[Qassam rocket]]s hit the Negev.<ref name = "Hamas: 87 shells fired at Israeli targets in 24 hours">{{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
| last = Katz| first = Yaakov| coauthors = Herb Keinon| title = IDF gets green light to strike Hamas after rocket barrage
| work = 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}}</ref>

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 name=Olmert_Last_Warning>{{Cite news
| 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>

{{Clear}}

==Campaign==
{{Main|Timeline of the Gaza War}}
{{See also|Incidents in the Gaza War}}

===Israeli offensive===
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|publisher=The Guardian | location=London | first=Ian | last=Black | date=2008-12-29 | accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author=Barak Ravid|title=Disinformation, secrecy and lies: How the Gaza offensive came about |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050426.html|publisher=Ha'aretz}}</ref> 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, deception: How the Gaza offensive came about |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050426.html |publisher=Haaretz |date=December 27, 2008 |accessdate= December 27, 2008}}</ref>

====Air strikes====
[[File:Oferet-Yetzuka-F16I.jpg|thumb|right|Israeli F-16i of the [[107 Squadron (Israel)|107th Squadron]] preparing for take-off]]

At 11:30am 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 web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129052 |title=Operation 'Cast Lead' Begins; One Israeli and 205 Arabs are Dead – Defense/Middle East – Israel News |publisher=Israel National News |date= |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 Israel 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. The air strikes hit Hamas headquarters, government offices and 24 police stations.<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> An Israeli [[Unmanned aerial vehicle]] 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 &#124; Human Rights Watch |publisher=Hrw.org |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 web|url= http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230111714969&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull|title=A year’s intel yields ‘alpha hits’ |last=Katz|first=Yaakov|date=December 28, 2008|publisher=The Jerusalem Post| accessdate=December 28, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Reuters1">{{Cite news| url = http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSLR1342320081227 | publisher = 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" />

At least 230 Palestinians were killed 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 &#124; Amnesty International |publisher=Amnesty.org |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>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2008/12/27/2008-12-27_israeli_air_strikes_kill_230_in_gaza.html|title=Israeli air strikes kill 230 in Gaza|date=27 December 2008|quote=Hamas echoed the violent sentiment while still reeling from the "Massacre of the Black Saturday," as the carnage was quickly dubbed by Palestinians in Gaza.|authors=Erica Silverman and Larry Mcshane|work=NY Daily News | location=New York}}</ref><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>{{Cite web|last=Herbert |first=Dominic |url=http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/112090/Merciless.html |title=Civilians caught up in Gaza bloodbath |publisher=News Of The World |date=2008-12-27 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</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 fresh barrage of rockets, which killed an Israeli civilian in the city of [[Netivot]], and injured several others. On December 29, an Israeli soldier was killed and several wounded when Palestinian mortar fire hit a military base in [[Nahal Oz]]. Several Israeli civilians were wounded, and one was killed in a rocket attack on the city of [[Ashkelon]]. On 28 December, the city of [[Ashdod]] was hit by rocket fire. On 30 December, an Israeli woman was killed by a Palestinian rocket attack on [[Ashdod]].<ref name="Timeline">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7812290.stm |title=Middle East &#124; Gaza conflict: Timeline |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-01-18 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> The city of [[Beersheba]] was also hit, the farthest Palestinian rockets had ever reached. Beersheba was hit a second time on December 31, but no casualties were reported.

In the weeks following the initial air raids [[F-16I|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 |authorlink= | title=Israeli troops, tanks slice deep into Gaza | date=2009-01-04 | publisher=azcentral.com | url =http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/01/04/20090104gaza0124.html | work = | pages = | 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 are 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 web|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 }}</ref> Israeli aircraft also utilized 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.

According to the IAF, 80 percent of the bombs used by the IAF were precision weapons, and 99 percent 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 whenever possible, IAF executed strikes using the smallest precision-guided weapons, and coordinated both 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='DefenceNews 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='DefenceNews 2009-03-08'/>

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 web|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. The 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}}</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|The Telegraph]]|date=January 1, 2009|accessdate=2009-01-02 | location=London | first=Tim | last=Butcher}}</ref><ref name="Ynet_sufficient_warning">{{Cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3648848,00.html|title=Hamas leader, 20 Palestinians killed in IAF strikes|date=2009-01-09|publisher=Ynet|accessdate=2009-01-09}}</ref><ref name="IHT">{{Cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/02/africa/02mideast-passcnd.php?page|title=As bombing continues, Israel allows some foreigners to leave Gaza|last=Kershner|first=Isabel|coauthors=Taghreed El Khodary|date=2009-01-02|publisher=International Herald Tribune|accessdate=2009-01-04}}</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>Amos Harel, [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1054569.html Hamas leaders hiding in basement of Israel-built hospital in Gaza] Haaretz, 12 January 2009</ref> 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]].

[[Image:Orphanschoolmosque.jpg|thumb|left|Destroyed building in [[Rafah]], January 12, 2009{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}]]

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="IDF phones Gaza residents to warn them of imminent strikes">{{Cite news| title= IDF phones Gaza residents to warn them of imminent strikes| url= http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052260.html | publisher=Haaretz| date=January 2, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Gaza War Full of Traps and Trickery">{{Cite news| title= Gaza War Full of Traps and Trickery| url= http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/world/middleeast/11hamas.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink| publisher=The NY Times| date=January 10, 2009 | first=Steven | last=Erlanger | accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref><ref name="We are not all Hamas now">{{Cite news| title= We are not all Hamas now| url= http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/dominic_lawson/article5489436.ece?print=yes&randnum=1231779114681| publisher=Times| date=January 11, 2009 | location=London | first=Dominic | last=Lawson | accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref> Israel used F-4 Phantoms to deliver more than 2 million leaflets urging the population to evacuate.<ref name='DefenceNews 2009-03-08'>{{Cite web|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=DefenceNews }}</ref> In a practice codenamed [[roof knocking]], the IDF issued warning calls prior to 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://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231167305954&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull|title=A response to a Euro-Mediterranean appeal|date=2009-01-04|last=Kurz |first=Anat N. |coauthors=Emily B. Landau |work=opinion.jpost.com |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/hasen/spages/1052052.html|title=IDF targets senior Hamas figures |date=2009-01-04|last=Harel|first=Amos|coauthor=Yoav Stern|work=Haaretz.com| publisher=[[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="IDF phones Gaza residents to warn them of imminent strikes" /> In some cases, IDF commanders called off airstrikes, when residents of suspected houses have been able to gather on its roof.<ref name="IDF phones Gaza residents to warn them of imminent strikes" />
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="Gaza War Full of Traps and Trickery" /> Israel's military used low-explosive missiles to warn civilians of imminent attack and to verify that buildings were evacuated prior to attack.<ref name='DefenceNews 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 prior to 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], IMFA, 30 July 2009</ref>

By January 3, 2009, the Palestinian death toll stood at 400, with 25 percent estimated to be civilian casualties.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7809699.stm |title=Middle East &#124; 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
| agency = [[UN]] [[Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]| accessdate = 2009-01-07
| 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.

====Naval operations====
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</ref><ref>{{Cite web|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='DefenceNews 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</ref> On 28 December, Naval vessels shelled the [[Port of Gaza]].<ref name="Timeline"/>{{Failed verification|date=May 2010}}

On 29 December the [[Free Gaza Movement]] relief boat ''Dignity'' carrying volunteer doctors with 3.5 tons of medical supplies, human rights activists (Among them [[Caoimhe Butterly]]), a [[CNN]] reporter and former [[US Representative]] [[Cynthia McKinney]] was involved in an altercation with Israeli patrol boats. The captain of the Free Gaza vessel said that their vessel had been struck intentionally by the Israeli navy 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=Middle East &#124; 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 out maneuver 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?eref=rss_topstories |title=Gaza relief boat damaged in encounter with Israeli vessel - CNN.com |publisher=Edition.cnn.com |date= 2008-12-30|accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>

On 4 January, the Israeli Navy extended its blockade of the Gaza Strip to 20 [[Nautical Mile]]s, and denied all vessels entry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/20091322357629723.html |title=Middle East – Israeli ground troops enter Gaza |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=2009-01-04 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>

====Ground invasion====
{{See also|2009 Ibrahim al-Maqadna Mosque strike|Zeitoun incident}}

IDF infantry and armor units amassed near the Gaza border on December 28, engaging in an active [[blockade]] of the strip.

[[Image: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}}</ref>]]
[[File:Samouni2.jpg|thumb|Damage to the Zeitoun neighbourhood{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}]]

On the evening of January 3, Israel began the ground operation began with a massive [[artillery]] barrage all along the Gaza boundary, and troops were sent into Gaza for the first time since the start of the conflict.<ref name="Time January 3, 2009">
{{Cite news
|first = Aaron
|last = Klein
|url = http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1869441,00.html?iid=tsmodule
|title = Israel Enters Gaza: Negotiating with Extreme Prejudice
|date = 2009-01-03
|accessdate = 2010-05-17
|work= Time
}}
</ref><ref name="haaretz-groundInvasion">
{{Cite web
|first = Amos
|last = Harel
|coauthors = Yoav Stern and Yanir Yagana
|url = http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052299.html
|title = Israel launches a ground operation in the Gaza Strip
|date = January 3, 2009
|accessdate = 2009-01-03
|publisher = Haaretz
|location = Jerusalem, IL
}}
</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.

Israel utilized the [[Paratroopers Brigade|Paratroopers]], [[Golani Brigade|Golani]], and [[Givati Brigade|Givati]] brigades simultaneously entering 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 the [[Merkava Mk. IV|Merkava Mk4]] tank to quickly control and block access from Rafah and Khan Yunis to Gaza City which cut 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"/>

The Israeli advance was spearheaded by [[Combat Engineering Corps]] sappers 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 1/3 of the houses. Some of these traps were intended to distract IDF soldiers for the purpose of taking prisoners. 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. 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=Isreali 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>

Hamas guerillas also emerged from tunnels to fire at soldiers, then pulled back in an effort 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}}</ref>

Israeli artillery units also worked closely with battalion commanders.<ref name='DefenceNews 2009-05-11'>{{Cite news| first=Barbara | last=Opall-Rome | title=Gaza War Is Battle Lab for Joint Combat Ops | date=2009-05-11 | publisher= | url =http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4083045 | work =DefenceNews | accessdate = 2009-08-06 }}</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 percent 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 percent of rounds fired. He also said that about half of those were MA25A1 incendiary based smoke rounds used to mask troop movements. 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='DefenceNews 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 =DefenceNews | accessdate = 2009-08-06 }}</ref>

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]], but restricted their movements to areas that were not heavily urbanised.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052299.html IDF soldier killed, another seriously wounded in Gaza ground operation], ''Haaretz'', 2009-01-04</ref> 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 web|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3650496,00.html |title='He wanted to protect people' – Israel News, Ynetnews |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.

As Israeli tanks and troops seized control of large parts of the Gaza Strip, tens of thousands of Gazans fled their homes amidst 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|url=|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. Three Israeli soldiers were killed and another 20 soldiers wounded after an Israeli tank fired at their position, which had been identified as an enemy position. 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 web|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3651124,00.html |title=Hamas adamant to strike back at IDF – Israel News, Ynetnews |publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=1995-06-20 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Israel continued to launch airstrikes and naval bombardments.

On 6 January, 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.
Israeli mortars shelled near the [[Al-Fakhura school incident|Al Fakhura school]]. Reports on the number of deaths and if militants were among the casualties have 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 web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/06/content_10614759.htm |title=Israeli army strikes Gaza's UN School, 40 killed: Medics_English_Xinhua |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=2009-01-06 |accessdate=2010-07-23}}</ref><ref name="jpost_idf_releases">{{cite web|
first= |
last= |
pages= |
language = [[English language|English]] |
title=IDF releases names of UN school deaths |
date=2009-02-29 |
publisher=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |
url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304833139&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |
accessdate= |
archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/5rQKyAmQH|
archivedate= 2010-07-22}}
</ref> It was originally misreported that the attack was 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|agency=BBC | work=BBC News}}</ref> A total of 125 Palestinians were killed on January 6. Palestinian gunmen ambushed an Israeli patrol in Northern Gaza City, killing one soldier and wounding four. The Israeli soldiers returned fire, hitting some of the gunmen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3651665,00.html |title=6th soldier killed in Gaza operation – Israel News, Ynetnews |publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=1995-06-20 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> An Israeli officer was also killed by a misdirected Israeli artillery shell.

====Arms interdiction and the Sudan strike====
{{Main|2009 Sudan airstrikes}}
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 convoty of 17 trucks which contained [[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/hasen/spages/1074457.html |publisher=Haaretz |date=2009-03-28 |accessdate=2009-03-28}}</ref>

====Attack on Gaza City====
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. Many Hamas fighters and an Israeli officer of the [[Golani Brigade]] were killed in the clash. 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 |date= |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=Middle East &#124; 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 fixed wing aircraft 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>{{Cite web|url=http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1054497.html |title=Sources: Hamas fired anti-aircraft missiles at IAF planes – Haaretz – Israel News |publisher=Haaretz |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> 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=Middle East &#124; 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 Ajleen.<ref name="Timeline"/> On January 12, nearly 30 rockets and mortars were fired at Southern Israel, damaging a house in [[Ashkelon]].

[[Image: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 web|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}}</ref>]]

On January 13, Israeli tanks continued their advance toward the headquarters of Hamas' preventative 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.com |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 which has several high-rise buildings, while Israeli gunboats shelled Hamas targets along the coast.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watcj?v=In8LAmg7tg (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>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1055168.html Haaretz] IDF officer critically hurt in Gaza; 6 other soldiers also wounded By Anshel Pfeffer</ref> The push into the neighorhood was Israel's deepest incursion into Gaza City. There was widespread [[desertion]] by members of the Kassam Brigades in the face of the IDF advance.<ref name="jpost.com"/>

On January 15, Israeli [[artillery]] started a bombardment of the city while fighting was still going on in the streets. Three high-rise buildings were shelled.{{Citation needed|date=March 2010}} The Israeli military reported to have killed dozens of militants, since breaching the city limits four days earlier, while they suffered 20–25 soldiers wounded. Among buildings shelled were the al-Quds hospital, Gaza's second-largest, in the [[Tel al-Hawa]] neighborhood. At least 14 rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel, severely damaging a house in [[Sderot]].<ref name="Timeline"/>

It was reported that almost all members of Hamas’s 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 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=Avi | last=Issacharoff | coauthors= Amos Harel, Amira Haas, Yanir Yagna | title=Palestinian sources: 'Iran unit' of Hamas has been destroyed | date=2001-01-16 | url =http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1056131.html | work =Haaretz | accessdate = 2009-08-07 }}</ref>

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 the 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>

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 warships shelled targets in support.<ref name="Al Jazeera Timeline">{{Cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/200917205418665491.html |title=Middle East – Timeline: Gaza crisis |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date= |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> About 10 rockets were fired into Southern Israel.<ref name="Timeline"/>

The Givati Brigade penetrated the deepest into Gaza City. The brigade's reconnaissance battalion swept into the Tel el-Hawa neighborhood and took over two 15-story buildings in search of Hamas operatives two days before the cease fire went into effect. An estimated 40 Palestinian gunmen were killed. The commander of the brigade, Ilan Malka, was critical of Hamas's use of civilian houses and said that he "took many steps to prevent our soldiers from getting hurt." Colonel Ilan 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>

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. It was expected that this would result in heavy casualties on both sides and among civilians, inevitably 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>

====Humanitarian ceasefires====
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
|url=http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2009/090107_Humanitarian.doc.htm
|title=Press conference by humanitarian, human rights organizations on gaza|date=2009-01-07
|publisher=United Nations
|accessdate=2009-09-08}}
</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}}</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 web|title=Clashes resume in Gaza City after 3-hour humanitarian truce |url = http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1053498.html| publisher=[[Haaretz]]|date=January 7, 2009|accessdate=2009-01-07|author=Reuters}}</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], 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], p10, p60 PHR-Israel and PMRS, April 2009</ref>

===Palestinian paramilitary activity===
[[Image:A rocket fired from a civilian area in Gaza towards civilian areas in Southern Israel.jpg|thumb|A rocket fired from [[Gaza]] into [[Israel]] in December 2008{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}]]

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' Brigades|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 web|title=Al Quds Brigade: Urban Battle yet to Begin|date=January 15, 2009|author=Abdul-Hadee Aoukal|publisher=Asharq al-Awsat|url=http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=15384|accessdate=2009-08-23}}</ref>

Political representatives for Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP, [[Saiqa]], the [[Popular Struggle Front]], the [[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 web|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>

====Preparation====
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:GazaWar weapons in mosque.jpg|thumb|upright|Israeli Government Source released this image with following description: ''Weapons, including an anti-tank cannon, discovered in a [[Jabaliya]] mosque during the Gaza Operation'' {{Deletable image-caption|1=Saturday, 29 August 2009}}]]  -->
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=Middle East &#124; 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]</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>Ethan Bronner, [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/world/middleeast/16gaza.html?ref=world Israel Lets Reporters See Devastated Gaza Site and Image of a Confident Military], New York Times 16-01-2009</ref> 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'], 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.com |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'/>

According to [[Jane's Defence Weekly]], armed groups in Gaza counted [[Palestinian domestic weapons production|domestically produced]] anti-armor [[Rocket-propelled grenade|RPG]]s 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 |date= |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]. 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"], Jerusalem Post 04-01-2009</ref>

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= Jerusalem Post }}</ref><ref name="Gaza doctor refutes casualties reported in Cast Lead op">{{Cite news| url= http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1057960.html| title= Gaza doctor refutes casualties reported in Cast Lead op| date=2009-01-25| publisher=Haaretz}}</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/hasen/spages/1059456.html|title=Hamas captives tell Shin Bet: We used Gaza mosques to hide arms, for training|author=Amos Harel|publisher=[[Haaretz]]|date=2009-01-28}}</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, 6:16–6:58 segment</ref>

====Rocket attacks into Israel====
{{See also|Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel|Palestinian political violence}}
[[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" />]]

After the initial Israeli aerial assault, Hamas quickly dispersed both its personnel and weapons and equipment.<ref>{{Cite web|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> The strike range of Hamas rockets had increased from {{Convert|16|km|mi}} to {{Convert|40|km|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 |date= |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> 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>Yair Yanga, [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1055114.html "Shin Bet: Some 565 rockets, 200 mortar shells fired at Israel since start of Gaza op"], Ha'aretz 13-01-2009</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>Ethan Bronner, [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/19/world/middleeast/19assess.html?emc=rss&partner=rss Parsing Gains of Gaza War], ''[[New York Times]]'' 18-01-2009</ref> It is reported that 102 rockets and 35 mortars were fired by Fatah, Hamas's 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 (Jerusalem Post)}}</ref>

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.

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 furthest 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 syndrome.<ref>{{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 name=ynet-school-rocket>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3647569,00.html Rockets reach Beersheba, cause damage], ''YNET'', December 30, 2008.</ref><ref name = ynet_rockets_humanitarian>[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.com |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> <!--OFFICALS SPELLED WRONG IN TITLE-->[[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" />

After the war, the Ezz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades revealed new rockets it used during Israel's military operation and also published pictures of weapons([[Tandem-charge|Tandem]] and [[RPG-29]] anti-armor rockets) that it could secretly smuggle to Gaza.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/11/content_12792206.htm |title=Hamas restrains from another war with Israel in Gaza_English_Xinhua |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=2010-01-11 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>

In addition to the rockets fired from Gaza, Israel experienced other attacks along the borders with Lebanon and Syria.<ref>Rockets from Lebanon:<ul><li>[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<li>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7817135.stm BBC], Rockets hit Israel from Lebanon<li>[http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/08/israel.rockets/index.html CNN] Lebanese PM condemns rocket attack on Israel<li>{{Cite web|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}}</ul></ref>

===Unilateral ceasefires===
On January 17, Israeli officials announced a [[unilateralism|unilateral]] [[ceasefire]], without an agreement with Hamas. In a press conference, 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 Israeli ceasefire was first suggested by [[Livni]] and consists of two phases worked out by [[Ehud Barak]]: "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."<ref name=haaretz18Jan>[[Haaretz]], Analysis/ Israel declares victory in Gaza, but at what cost?  By Aluf Benn, January 18, 2009, [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1056248.html]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Keinon |first=Herb |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1232100163477&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |title=Jpost |publisher=Fr.jpost.com |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Olmert declared that the military objectives had been met.<ref name=haaretz18Jan/>

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 supposed six fired landed in or near the town of [[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=Middle East &#124; Rockets threaten Gaza ceasefire |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-01-18 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> The Israeli military returned fire and carried out an air strike against the rocket launching squad in the northern Gaza Strip.<ref>{{Cite web|author=(AFP) – 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 |date=2009-01-18 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>

On January 18, [[Hamas]], [[Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine|Islamic Jihad]] and other paramilitias stated they would stop launching rockets into Israel for one week. The statement 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 web|url=http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1056490.html |title=Haaretz, January 18, 2009 |publisher=Haaretz.com |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref><ref>[[CNN]] January 18, 2009 [http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/18/israel.gaza/index.html]</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>

On January 21, Israeli troops completed their pullout from the Gaza Strip.<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>

Since the unilateral ceasefires were declared on January 17, militants have fired rockets and mortar shells from Gaza,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1067516.html |title=At least six Gaza rockets hit southern Israel – Haaretz – Israel News |publisher=Haaretz |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=By Jpost.Com Staff |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1235410720483 |title=Kassam rocket strikes Eshkol Region &#124; Israel &#124; Jerusalem Post |publisher=Fr.jpost.com |date= |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>

{{Clear}}

====Continued negotiations====
Egyptian mediators held discussions with Israel and Hamas about extending the cease-fire by a year or more. Hamas and Fatah met in an effort to create a mechanism that would allow both to play a role in rebuilding.<ref name="NYT0128">Kershner, Isabel and Ethan Bronner. [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/world/middleeast/29mideast.html?_r=1&hp "U.S. Envoy Urges Cease-Fire After Gaza Violence."] ''[[The New York Times]]'', January 28, 2009. Retrieved on 2009-01-28.</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 reacted coolly to suggestions that European troops should be stationed on the border between Gaza and Egypt to monitor smugglers' 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>

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. Hamas, in order to speed up reconstruction, agreed on 27 January 2009 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 only for humanitarian aid was unacceptable, as Hamas would need much more to rebuild its economy and produce relief to citizens. Haniyeh officials said the cease-fire is contingent on a full border opening.<ref name="NYT0128" />

On 20 January 2009, [[Barack Obama]] assumed the [[President of the United States|Presidency of the United States of America]]. Soon thereafter, Obama directed [[George J. Mitchell]], his newly appointed special envoy to the Middle East, to visit Israel, the [[West Bank]], Egypt, Jordan, [[Turkey]] and [[Saudi Arabia]] for peace talks. Mitchell began his meetings in Cairo on 27 January 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. In a continuation of a [[George W. Bush]] administration policy, 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" />

Israel's Prime Minister [[Ehud Olmert]] stated that Israel would not agree to a long term truce or lift the blockade that it has imposed 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 web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072288.html |title=Hamas: IDF arrests put Gilad Shalit in danger – Haaretz – Israel News |publisher=Haaretz |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> Hamas has insisted that Shalit's release be dependent on the release of 1,400 [[Palestinian prisoners]] held by Israel and 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>

====Post War Military Assessment====
The war resulted in a tactical battlefield success for Israel and represented a significant tactical defeat for Hamas.<ref name='Aviation Week 2009-05-11'/><ref name="jpost.com"/><ref name="nytimes.com">Ethan Bonner, [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/world/middleeast/24gaza.htm Hamas Shifts From Rockets to Culture War] New York Times, 24 July 2009</ref><ref name="middle-east-policy.org">David Makovsky, [http://www.middle-east-policy.org/print.php?template=C05&CID=2997 Preliminary Assessment of Israel’s Operation Cast Lead] The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 23 January 2009</ref><ref name="haaretz.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1122545.html |title=Senior Shin Bet official: Hamas completely lost Gaza war |publisher=Haaretz.com |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> In November 2010, the Hamas Interior Minister acknowledged that around 700 gunmen belonging to Hamas and affiliated factions were killed by the IDF operations.<ref name="AFP 2010-11-01" />

Several senior Hamas military commanders and politburo members were killed. In addition, Hamas lost approximately 50 explosives experts<ref name="jpost.com">{{Cite web|last=Spyer |first=Jonathan |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1251804542247&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull |title=Hamas seeks new doctrine after Gaza War failures |publisher=Fr.jpost.com |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> and experienced "widespread desertion" in the face of the Israeli advance.<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" />

In addition, the Israeli Gaza operation has greatly curtailed years of Hamas rocket fire, returning a sense of normality to Southern Israel.<ref>Bronner, [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/world/middleeast/20mideast.html Painful Mideast Truth: Force Trumps Diplomacy] 20 October 2009,</ref> In the year preceding the war, Hamas had fired over 3300 rockets at Israel’s Gaza periphery towns. That number dropped dramatically to fewer than 300 in the 10 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] 9 October 2009</ref>

Defense analyst David Eshel stated "that 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 that "Israel used a variety of tactics to outflank and defeat Hamas in its own territory," including, "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. The organization also decided to initiate a thorough investigation of the conduct of its men during the operation.<ref name="jpost.com"/><ref>Issacharoff [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090355.html Hamas dismisses commanders on Iran order] 04/06/09</ref>

The Israeli army says it destroyed about 80% of the tunnels between Gaza and Egypt because they 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 others.<ref>{{Cite web|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>

==Aftermath==
Israel was victorious militarily, but its reputation among some quarters sunk low.<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 (with the exception of [[Iran]] and [[Syria]]).<ref name="Hamas rejects U.S. demand to recognize Israel">{{Cite web|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> Most criticism after the war was leveled at Israel, with charges of [[proportionality|disproportionate force]]  and the destruction of Gaza.<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> 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], NY 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" /> 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 in order 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 had 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">[http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1080096.html Hamas smuggling new arsenal into Gaza], Haaretz, April 22, 2009</ref>

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 sanctions against Hamas in the form of strong restrictions on movement through the Rafah crossing and on 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|author=Font size Print E-mail Share 6 Comments |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 web|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 web|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 |date= |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref>

===Propaganda and psychological warfare===
====Hamas====
Before and during the conflict, Hamas' senior representatives released 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 web|author=6:25 p.m. ET |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28608585/ |title=Israel's Gaza war adds psychological operations, MSNBC, January 11, 2009 |publisher=MSNBC |date=2009-01-11 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>

On a video broadcasted 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" />

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" />

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" />

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">[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1054916.html The unreported battle with Hamas: psychological warfare], Haaretz, Jan. 14, 2009</ref>

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" />

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" />

====Israel====
The day before the beginning of the offensive on December 27 the [[Israeli Defense Force]] (IDF) pulled troops back from the border and used its radio channels to broadcast talk of a "lull" in order to achieve a disinformation coup ("con") 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>

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 population that their problems were due to Hamas. The army 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 that "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" />

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 in Hamas in Gaza.<ref name="Psychological Tricks to Demoralize the Enemy" />

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" />

==Controversies regarding tactics==
{{Main|Controversial tactics in the Gaza War}}
Both Israel and Hamas were accused of using controversial military tactics in the course of the 2008–2009 Gaza War.

===Controversial tactics allegedly used by Hamas===
====Use of civilian clothes by Hamas combatants====
Several reports stated that Hamas fighters shed their uniforms shortly after the start of the ground incursion.<ref name="Gaza's tunnels, traps and martyrs">{{Cite news| url= http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5497340.ece| title= Gaza's tunnels, traps and martyrs| date=2009-01-12| publisher=Times | location=London | first=Azmi | last=Keshawi | accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref><ref name="Cracks in Hamas">{{Cite news| url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1232275660144&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull | title= Cracks in Hamas| date=2009-01-18| publisher=Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref name="Hamas Aims To Look Sharp">{{Cite news| url=http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htlead/20090427.aspx| title= Hamas Aims To Look Sharp| date=2009-04-27| publisher=Strategy Page}}</ref><ref name="In Gaza, Hamas Struggles To Restore Order">[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/19/world/main4734072.shtml?source=related_story In Gaza, Hamas Struggles To Restore Order], AP, January 19, 2009</ref><ref name="Battered by Israel, Hamas faces tough choice">[http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jan/12/world/fg-hamas12 Battered by Israel, Hamas faces tough choice], LA Times, January 12, 2009</ref> Reports said that unwilling to come into the open space, Hamas militants are fighting in civilian clothes; even the police have been reportedly ordered to take off their uniforms.<ref name="Gaza War Full of Traps and Trickery"/> An eyewitness to the only incident investigated by the UN mission that clearly involved Palestinian combatants said that three Palestinian fighters Israeli troops had surrounded in his neighbour's house 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], pp. 146, 283.</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/> 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="Warnings Not Enough for Gaza Families">[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/world/middleeast/06scene.html?_r=1&fta=y Warnings Not Enough for Gaza Families], January 5, 2009</ref>

====Use of densely populated areas by Hamas combatants====
''[[The NY 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 5, 2009|publisher = New York Times | first1=Taghreed | last1=El-Khodary | first2=Isabel | last2=Kershner | accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref>

On October 16, 2009 the former commander of the British forces in Afghanistan  Col. Richard Kemp delivered a statement at UN Human Rights Council 12th Special Session. He testified:
{{cquote| During Operation Cast Lead, the Israeli Defense Forces did more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone than any other army in the history of warfare. Israel did so while facing an enemy that deliberately positioned its military capability behind the human shield of the civilian population.<ref>http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/55622</ref><ref>http://www.unwatch.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=bdKKISNqEmG&b=1313923&ct=7536409</ref> }}

====Use of medical facilities and uniforms by Hamas combatants====
Several testimonies from local Gazan population and from IDF soldiers stated that Hamas operatives donned medic uniforms and commandeered ambulances for fighters transportation.<ref name="Maximum 600 Palestinians died in Gaza"/><ref name="Haniyeh hid in hospital during Gaza op'">{{Cite news|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710759267&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull|title='Haniyeh hid in hospital during Gaza op'|last=Katz|first=Yaakov|date=2009-04-22|publisher=JPost|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| publisher=The NY Times | first=Steven | last=Erlanger | accessdate=2010-04-02}}</ref> After the 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 in civilian clothes in the Shifa hospital compound.<ref name="No Early End Seen to ‘All-Out War’ on Hamas in Gaza">[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/world/middleeast/30mideast.html?_r=3 No Early End Seen to ‘All-Out War’ on Hamas in Gaza ] NY Times, December 29, 2008</ref> An IDF probe released on April 22, 2009, stated that an incident involving a UN vehicle attacked by the IDF occurred after the IDF identified a Palestinian anti-tank squad disembarking from the vehicle.<ref name="Haniyeh hid in hospital during Gaza op'" /> The Palestinian Authority's Health Ministry accused the Hamas-run government's security services of using several hospitals and clinics in Gaza as interrogation and detention centers, where medical staffers have been expelled, during and after the war.<ref name="PA Health Ministry: Hamas using hospitals as detention centers">[http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=208410&MARK=hospital PA Health Ministry: Hamas using hospitals as detention centers]. Ma'an, February 7, 2009</ref> The IDF probe made similar charges and stated that Hamas operated a command and control center inside Shifa Hospital in the Gaza City throughout the War.<ref>[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710759267&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull 'Haniyeh hid in hospital during Gaza op'], JPost, April 22, 2009]</ref>

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}}</ref> Further, [[Magen David Adom]]'s submission to UN Mission  investigating the war stated that, "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 |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24 | work=The Guardian | location=London}}</ref>

====Use of Booby Traps====
[[Improvised explosive device]]s (IED) were a concern for Israeli soldiers.<ref name="Belfast Telegraph 2010-02-04"/> One Israeli commander said that booby traps were found in a mosque and 1/3 of the houses. Some of these traps were intended to distract IDF soldiers for the purpose of taking prisoners. All such attempts failed.<ref name="jpost.com"/><ref name="NY Times 2009-01-16"/>

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. [[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"/> 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"/>

===Controversial tactics allegedly used by Israel===
====White phosphorus====
{{Main|White phosphorus}}
[[Image:White phosphorus in Gaza in 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-phosphorus|title=Gaza White Phosphorus|date=2009-01-11|publisher=Al Jazeera|accessdate=19 February 2010}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>]]
On January 5 the Times reported that telltale smoke associated with white phosphorus had been seen in areas of a shelling. On January 12 it was reported that more than 50 phosphorus burns victims were in Nasser Hospital. On January 16 the 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" />

Israel initially denied using white phosphorus. 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>

Many other observers, including HRW military expert, reported seeing white phosphorus air bursts over Gaza City and the Jabalya refugee camp.<ref>[http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/01/22/incendiary-idf-kenneth-roth "The Incendiary IDF"] The Israel Defense Forces use phosphorus shells—and forfeit credibility. HRW report. 22nd January 2009.</ref> The BBC published a photograph of two shells exploding over a densely populated area on 11 January.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7823078.stm "Israel denies banned weapons use"] BBC 11th January 2009.</ref>

The IDF stated on January 13 that it "wishes to reiterate that it uses weapons in compliance with international law, while strictly observing that they be used in accordance with the type of combat and its characteristics."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Press |first=Associated |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231866575577&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull |title='IDF white phosphorus use not illegal' |publisher=Fr.jpost.com |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</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 call for serious consideration to be given to the banning of its use as an obscurant.<ref name="Goldstone Report" />

A British intelligence officer who completed numerous combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan stated that the Israeli Army would have been negligent had it employed anything but white phosphorus to conceal its troop movements. The officer 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>

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 that "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> 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 least harmful for civilian population, provided that the use of white phosphorus withstands the proportionality test. He also stressed that the white phosphorus munition is neither chemical nor incendiary weapon.<ref name="Public hearings – Geneva, Afternoon Session of 7 July 2009"/>

An article by Mark Cantora defending 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>

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 web|last=Service |first=Haaretz |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1055472.html |title=For the first time, Gaza militants fire phosphorus shell at Israel – Haaretz Daily Newspaper &#124; Israel News |publisher=Haaretz.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-08}}</ref> Contrary to the report, which did not mention its source, official foreign press spokesman for the Israeli Police, [[Micky Rosenfeld]], said the shell had landed in a field near Sderot, also stating that no damage or injuries had occurred.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Press |first=Associated |url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090114/090114_israel?hub=EdmontonHome |title='Proposal emerges for 10-day Gaza truce as Palestinian death toll tops 1,000' |publisher=ctv.ca |date=2009-01-14 |accessdate=2010-07-24}}</ref><ref name="Rain of Fire">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hrw.org/en/node/81726/section/4|title=Rain of Fire |publisher=Human Rights Watch|accessdate=2010-07-24}}</ref>

A day after the alleged attack, a researcher for [[Human Rights Watch]] travelled to Sderot to investigate the claim. One resident said he had heard about a mortar shell, possibly with white phosphorus, landing in a field outside of town but could not specify where. Moreover, when pressed for information, Rosenfeld could give no further insight, telling Human Rights Watch that "all I have is what's in the press release." Local authorities in Sderot also told the researcher that they were unaware of the attack.<ref name="Rain of Fire"/>

====Dense inert metal explosives====
{{Main|Dense Inert Metal Explosive}}
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">[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1056649.html Israel used new type of weapon in Gaza], Haaretz, January 20, 2009</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] 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>

Norwegian doctors who were one 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" />

Colonel Lane, military expert testifying in front of the fact-finding mission in July 2009, told the committee that there is no actual proof that DIME rounds were used, but he is of view that some weapons systems used in the conflict had some sort of DIME component, citing evidence of tungsten, iron, and sulfur in samples analyzed in a forensic lab. 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 reasonably safe, while those within the area of dispersal will experience catastrophic injuries, possibly leading to multiple amputations. He commented on the documentations where medics described unusual amputations saying that the use of a metal like tungsten and cobalt at short distances would likely had that effect.<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</ref>

The [[Goldstone Report]] wrote that the Mission was not in a position to state with certainty that DIME munitions were used by the Israeli armed forces, 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. 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>

====Accusations of misconduct by IDF soldiers====
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|publisher=The NY 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 first-hand 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 investigation, the IDF issued an official report, concluding that alleged cases of deliberate shooting at civilians didn't 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 in order to look into all Israeli army activity" in Gaza.<ref name="Gaza offensive: Israeli military says no war crimes committed" />

In July 2009, an Israeli NGO [[Breaking the Silence (non-governmental organization)|Breaking the Silence]] published testimony from 26 soldiers (two junior officers and the rest is enlisted personnel) who took part in the Gaza assault and which claimed 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'], 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], 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'" /> 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 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 web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100300.html |title=Barak: Criticism of IDF should be directed at me, Haaretz, July 15, 2009 |publisher=Haaretz.com |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> An Israeli military spokesperson dismissed the testimonies as anonymous hearsay.<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> 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="IDF soldiers give testimonies to counter Gaza war crimes claims">[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100740.html IDF soldiers give testimonies to counter Gaza war crimes claims], Haaretz, July 16, 2009</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>

In March 2010 what has been recognized as one of the most high-profile criminal cases from Operation Cast Lead began.<ref>http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=196128</ref> Two Israel Defense Forces soldiers were suspected of using a 9 year-old Palestinian boy, Majd Rabah, as a human shield by forcing him at gunpoint to open a number of bags the IDF soldiers though might contain explosives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/8150332/Israeli-soldiers-who-used-boy-as-human-shield-escape-avoid-jail.html|title='Israeli soldiers who used boy as human shield escape avoid jail ' |date=2010-10-22 |publisher=Daily Telegraph|accessdate=25 November 2010}}</ref> On October 3, 2010 both soldiers were convicted of reckless endangerment and conduct unbecoming. This was reportedly the first such conviction in Israeli history, where the use of civilians as human shields is banned.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11807152</ref> During sentencing the soldiers were placed on 2 years probation with a suspended sentence of a minimum three-month jail term if they commit another crime. Both soldiers were demoted to the rank of Sergeant. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/11/20101121134229938984.html|title='Israeli troops guilty of Gaza abuse ' |date=2010-10-21 |publisher=Al Jezeera|accessdate=25 November 2010}}</ref> Bill Van Esveld, an Israel-based researcher for Human Rights Watch, noted that using civilians as human shields is under the laws of war a war crime.<ref>http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-21/israeli-court-demotes-two-soldiers-who-used-gaza-strip-child-as-a-shield.html</ref>

In the report submitted to UN in January 2010, IDF acknowledged that two senior officers were subject to disciplinary proceedings for authorising an artillery attack which hit a UN compound in Tel El 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 Brig Gen [[Eyal Eisenberg]] and Givati Brigade Commander Col 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> 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 a position where Hamas had superior position.<ref name="IDF downplays action against officers">[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1146907.html IDF downplays action against officers], Haaretz, February 3, 2010</ref> 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" />

In June 2010, Israeli Advocate-General [[Avichai Mandelblit]] summoned a recently discharged soldier 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 4th, 2009 resulted in the death of two  non-combatant women. Israeli Advocate-General [[Avichai Mandelblit]] decided after the hearing to indict the IDF soldier, a member of the Givati Brigade, on a charge of manslaughter despite some contradictory testimony. This may have been based on the soldier admitting to firing on a woman he says he feared endangered his life.<ref>http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=180601</ref>

==Effects==
{{Main|Effects of the Gaza War}}

In addition to high casualties, 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|url=http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_pres_release_ny_2009_english.pdf |title=Press release |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

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 web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1067282.html |title=Amira Hass, 'Industrial wastelands,’ Haaretz 26/02/2009 |publisher=Haaretz.com |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> 24 mosques, 31 security compounds, and 10 water or sewage lines.
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1057132.html |title=UN Chief: Hamas rocket attacks are 'appalling and unacceptable' , Haaretz, 20/01/2009 |publisher=Haaretz.com |date= |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/>

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 {{Convert|167|km|mi|lk=on|abbr=off}} of [[paved road|paved]] and unpaved roads damaged, 714 impact craters on open ground or cultivated land with an estimated land area of {{Convert|2100|ha|km2|lk=on|abbr=off}}, 187 [[greenhouses]] completely destroyed or severely damaged with an estimated area of {{Convert|28|ha|km2|abbr=off}}, and {{Convert|2232|ha|km2|abbr=off}} of demolished zones targeted by IDF [[bulldozers]], [[tanks]] and [[white phosphorus|phosphorus]] shelling.<ref name="unosat_2_19">{{Cite news
| title = Satellite-based Gaza Damage Assessment Overview
| url = http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/freeproducts/Gaza/Crisis2008/UNOSAT_GazaStrip_Damage_Review_19Feb09_v3_Lowres.pdf
| date = 2009-03-10
| accessdate = 2009-04-07
| publisher = [[United Nations Institute for Training and Research]]
| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5frgvUsaP
| archivedate = 2009-04-07
}}</ref>

===Casualties===
{{Main|Casualties of the Gaza War}}
{{See also|Palestinian casualties of war|Israeli casualties of war}}


[[File:Israeli woman injured from Hamas grad rocket fired at Beer Sheva.jpg|thumb|150px|An Israeli woman injured in a rocket attack in Beersheba{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}]]

Gaza War Dead estimates made by [[Human Rights]] [[NGO]]s and by the involved combatants:
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! rowspan="2" |
! colspan="2" | Human Rights NGOs
! colspan="3" | Combatants
|-
! B'Tselem<ref name="BtsFatals">{{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 = [[B'Tselem]]|date= September 9, 2009|accessdate = February 21, 2010|archivedate = February 21, 2010|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5niCUh4K4}}</ref><ref name="BtsFatals_update">[http://www.btselem.org/english/Gaza_Strip/Castlead_Operation.asp Operation Cast Lead, 27 Dec. '08 to 18 Jan. '09], B'Tselem, December 27, 2009. Retrieved March 2, 2010.</ref>
! Palestinian Centre for Human Rights<ref name="rights-group-names-1417-gaza-war-dead">{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Rights group names 1,417 Gaza war dead |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/19/rights-group-names-1417-gaza-war-dead-1/ |publisher=Washington Times |date=March 19, 2009 |accessdate=19 March 2009|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5niC4Iiub|archivedate= February 21, 2010}}</ref><ref name="pchr_english_list">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2008/list.pdf|title=The Dead in the course of the Israeli recent military offensive on the Gaza strip between 27 December 2008 and 18 January 2009|date=2009-03-19|publisher=[[Palestinian Center for Human Rights]]|accessdate=2009-04-29}}</ref>
! Israeli Defense Forces<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1237727552054&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull|publisher = 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>
! Palestinian Ministry of Health, Gaza<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>
! Hamas<ref name="AFP 2010-11-01"/>
|-
! style="text-align: left;" | Palestinian TOTAL
| 1385
| 1417
| 1166
| 1440
|
|-
! style="text-align: left;" | Palestinian combatants
| 330/375*
| 236
| 709**
|
| 700******
|-
! style="text-align: left;" | Palestinian non-combatants
| 762
| 926
| 295
|
|
|-
! style="text-align: left;" | Women
| 107
| 116
| 49
| 114
|
|-
! style="text-align: left;" | Minors/Children
| 318
| 313
| 89
| 431
|
|-
! style="text-align: left;" | Police officers
| 248****
| 255*****
|
|
|
|-
! colspan="5" |
|-
! style="text-align: left;" | Israeli TOTAL'''
| 13***
|
| 13***
|
|50
|-
! style="text-align: left;" | Israeli combatants'''
| 10***
|
| 10***
|
|
|-
! style="text-align: left;" | Israeli non-combatants
| 3
|
| 3
|
|
|}
''*'' B'Tselem was unable to classify 36 deaths, including six children, as combatant or non-combatant; With the release of the updated figures in December 2009, it is unclear whether the number of combatants remain 330 or change to 375.

''**'' The IDF regards Gazan police as part of the Hamas armed forces.<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Hamas+war+against+Israel/Operation_Gaza_factual_and_legal_aspects_use_of_force_IDF_conduct_5_Aug_2009.htm THE OPERATION IN GAZA: FACTUAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS] IMFA, July 29, 2009</ref>

''***'' Includes four IDF soldiers killed by the IDF in [[friendly fire]] incidents.

''****'' The figure refers to Police officers killed at police stations.

''*****'' The figure refers to what PCHR claimed was non-combatant civil police officers.<ref>[http://www.webcitation.org/5fcnq2jOP PCHR Contests Distortion of Gaza Strip Death Toll], PCHR, March 2006, 2009</ref>

''******'' The figure includes all gunmen including those of the al Qassam Brigades, Hamas affiliated internal security personnel and other armed miltant groups (and the claim of 50 Israeli casualties is found in the same source).<ref name="AFP 2010-11-01"/>

===Other casualties===
The [[World Health Organization]] reported that sixteen health personnel were killed and that 22 health personnel were injured over the course of the offensive.<ref name="UNOCHAJan22" /> In response, the Israeli Defense Ministry stated that nine of the sixteen medical personnel killed were Hamas operatives, referring to publications on Hamas affiliated Web sites.<ref name="Israel refutes claims of Gaza misconduct">[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1249418564462&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Israel refutes claims of Gaza misconduct], JPost, Aug. 10, 2009</ref> The [[UNRWA]] reported that five of its staff members were killed and that eleven staff members were injured.<ref name="UNOCHAJan22" /> The [[World Food Programme]] reported that one of its contractors was killed and that two were injured.<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>

Hamas gunmen killed one Egyptian border guard and wounded another on December 28.<ref name="abcnews1">{{Cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=6536195 |title=ABC News: Israeli Troops Mobilise as Gaza Assault Widens |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date= |accessdate=December 28, 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Shrapnel from an Israeli air strike near the Rafah border crossing wounded two border guards and two Egyptian children.<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}}</ref> A Ukrainian woman married to a Palestinian and their daughter were killed by Israeli tank shelling on January 8; the couple's other daughter was wounded.<ref name="Ukranianwoman">{{Cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/world/32917|title=Gaza death toll of 765 includes Ukrainian mother, baby; nearly 100 Ukrainians evacuated|publisher=[[Kyiv Post]]|date=2009-01-09}}</ref>

In 2009, the United Nations Mine Action Centre reported that 12 people have been killed and 27 injured in the Gaza Strip by unexploded ordnance since the ceasefire.<ref name="unmas">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mineaction.org/country.asp?c=138|title=Country Overviews&nbsp;— Occupied Palestinian Territory|year=2009|publisher=United Nations Mine Action Service|accessdate=2 February 2010}}</ref>

===Disputed figures===
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>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/world/middleeast/11hamas.html A Gaza War Full of Traps and Trickery]</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author=Font size Print E-mail Share 351 Comments |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/19/world/main4734072.shtml?source=related_story |title=In Gaza, Hamas Struggles to Restore Order |publisher=Cbsnews.com |date=2009-01-19 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> 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 actually 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 encountered 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>

Based on data collected by Amnesty International delegates in Gaza and on cases documented by local NGOs, Amnesty concluded that an overall figure of some 1,400 fatalities is accurate and that, in addition to some 300 children, 115 women and 85 men aged over 50, some 200 men aged less than 50 were unarmed civilians who took no part in the hostilities.<ref name="OPERATION ‘CAST LEAD’: 22 DAYS OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/02_07_09_gaza_report.pdf OPERATION ‘CAST LEAD’: 22 DAYS OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION], Amnesty International, July 2, 2009</ref>

Israeli officials have stated that the PMoH significantly inflated the civilian death toll and played down the number of Hamas casualties.<ref name="Jpdfig">{{Cite news|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1232292939271|title=Israel disputes Gaza death toll|last=Lazaroff|first=Tovah |coauthors=Yaakov Katz|date=January 23, 2009|publisher=JPost|accessdate=2009-02-17}}</ref> UN [[Emergency Relief Coordinator]] [[John Holmes (British diplomat)|John Holmes]] has stated that the PMoH figures have not been seriously challenged.<ref name="sir_john_holmes_statement">{{Cite news| title = Breifing 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>

Following the war, Hamas acknowledged the deaths of only 48 of its fighters. However, in November 2010, Hamas Interior Minister [[Fathi Hammad]] acknowledged that as many as 700 gunmen belonging to Hamas and affiliated factions were killed. His admission was consistent with Israeli estimates of at least 709 “terror operatives” killed during the operation. He also claimed that 50 Israelis were killed but offered no proof of the latter claim.<ref name="AFP 2010-11-01"/><ref name="Ma'an 2010-11-02"/>

====B'Tselem figures====
B'Tselem wrote that the fact that a person is listed among the fatalities, or noting that a person was a civilian or that he or she was not taking part in hostilities at the time of death, does not indicate that a breach of law was committed, or that the person killed was innocent. The NGO stressed that the data does not, in and of itself, lead to legal or moral conclusions. Nevertheless, as of September 2009, B'Tselem said it did not receive satisfactory answers to about 20 cases that raise suspicion of breaches of laws of armed conflict that had been sent to Israel's Attorney General and the military's Judge Advocate General.<ref name="btselem.org">[http://www.btselem.org/Download/20090909_Cast_Lead_Fatalities_Eng.pdf B’Tselem’s investigation of fatalities in Operation Cast Lead], B'Tselem, September 20, 2009</ref>

B'Tselem stated that their count was based on testimonies from eye-witnesses and relatives of the dead, cross-checked with investigations carried out by Palestinian and international human rights organizations.<ref name="BtsFatals" /> The NGO added that some difficulties in estimating the death toll could be attributed to the IDF's refusal to allow them into the Gaza Strip after the conflict had ended to supplement the work of field-researchers there. B'Tselem also noted that the IDF refused to release its list of casualties to allow B'Tselem to cross check the names against its own list.<ref name="BtsFatals" />

B'Tselem wrote that its fatalities classification was based on the guidelines of the [[International Committee of the Red Cross]] (ICRC) published in June 2009. The ICRC opined that anyone who fulfills a "continuous combat function" should be considered a combatant even if he is not taking a direct part in hostilities at the moment he is killed and a person who does not fulfill a continuous combat function, but is killed when directly participating in hostilities, is also considered a combatant; persons who continuously accompany or support an organized armed group but whose function does not involve direct participation in hostilities maintain their status as civilians and are not legitimate objects of attack.<ref name="btselem.org" /> ICRC spokesman said that the aim of its recommendations, which are not legally binding, was to provide the ICRC's view on to how implement the notion of 'direct participation in hostilities' in contemporary armed conflict.<ref name="washingtontimes.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/18/inside-the-ring-95264632/?page=3 |title=Inside the Ring, page 3, Washington Times, June 18, 2009 |publisher=Washingtontimes.com |date=2009-06-18 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref> All 50 experts on the law of armed conflict, who provided advice to ICRC, had agreed that civilians who act as voluntary [[human shield]]s should fit within the definition of persons who take direct part in hostilities, which would make them legitimate military targets, opposing to the view expressed in ICRC's publication.<ref name="washingtontimes.com" />

In the article published in [[Scholars for Peace in the Middle East|SPME]], B'Tselem casualties findings were dubbed flawed due to the group's restrictive definitions of combatants, resulting in "misclassification biases". The authors also wrote that B’Tselem data show a high male to female ratio&nbsp;— greater than 4.0 – among teens and adults classified as non-combatants, suggesting that many dead male civilians could have been involved in combatant situations, either as shields, fighters, circumstantial helpers, sporadic helpers, or bystanders who were drawn into the goings on.<ref name="COMMENTS ON B'TSELEM'S CIVILIAN CASUALTY ESTIMATES IN OPERATION CAST LEAD">[http://www.spme.net/cgi-bin/articles.cgi?ID=5980 COMMENTS ON B'TSELEM'S CIVILIAN CASUALTY ESTIMATES IN OPERATION CAST LEAD], SPME, September 13, 2009</ref><ref name="JP-SPME">DAN IZENBERG, [http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1251804580143 Report slams B'Tselem Cast Lead figures], JPost, 2009-09-16</ref>

====PCHR figures====
The PCHR stated that the large number of civilians among the dead is proof that Israeli troops "used excessive and random force through the entire period of aggression, violating the principle of distinction between combatants and civilians".<ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/19/rights-group-names-1417-gaza-war-dead-1/ Rights group names 1,417 Gaza war dead] Washington Times, March 19, 2009</ref> The NGO also contested the IDF figures, saying that it regarded them as a "deliberate manipulative attempt" to distort the reality of the attacks, and to "disguise Israeli illegal actions".<ref name="pchr_contest">{{Cite news| title = PCHR Contests Distortion of Gaza Strip Death Toll| url = http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2008/44-2009.html| date = 26 March 2009| accessdate = 29 March 2009| agency = [[Palestinian Center for Human Rights]]| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5fcnq2jOP| archivedate = 29 March 2009}}</ref> The PCHR civilian count included Hamas members killed in what the PCHR assessed were non-combat situations.<ref name="PCHR_CIV_STAT">Younis, Khan. [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/22/world/main4746224.shtml?source=RSSattr=World_4746224 Rights Group Puts Gaza Death Toll At 1,284], CBS, February 17, 2009.</ref> The PCHR's representative reaffirmed further its own figures, saying that extensive investigation and cross-checking was done in researching the numbers and identities of Palestinians killed; he assured that the fatalities list does not include deaths caused by "internal events" or natural causes, refuting allegations from some Israeli security sources.<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> The Israeli [[International Institute for Counter-Terrorism]] (ICT) compiled a report on their research of the casualties figures published by the [[Palestinian Center for Human Rights]], supplemented by Hamas and Fatah websites and official Palestinian government online sources.<ref name="Casualties in Operation Cast Lead">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ict.org.il/ResearchPublications/CastLeadCasualties/tabid/325/Default.aspx| title=Casualties in Operation Cast Lead|date=2009-04|publisher=International Institute for Counter-Terrorism}}</ref> The ICT said that many of those listed by PCHR as civilians, including civil policemen, were in fact hailed as militant martyrs by Hamas. The report went on to say that some of the civilians were Fatah members killed by Hamas and that among the youngsters counted as children by the PCHR, 18 combatants were identified.<ref name="Casualties in Operation Cast Lead: A closer look">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ict.org.il/Portals/0/Articles/ICT_Cast_Lead_Casualties-A_Closer_Look.pdf| title=Casualties in Operation Cast Lead: A closer look|date=2009-04|publisher=International Institute for Counter-Terrorism}}</ref> Based on their examination of age distribution of the casualties listed by PCHR, the ICT estimated that 63% to 75% of the Palestinians killed in Gaza War appear to have been specifically-targeted, combat-aged males, and stated that PCHR’s own data refutes that Israel’s attacks were indiscriminate.<ref name="Casualties in Operation Cast Lead: A closer look" />

====Police classification====
[[File:Gaza war injured policeman.jpg|thumb|A Palestinian police officer injured during the conflict.<ref name="aj-day3">{{Cite web|url=http://cc.aljazeera.net/node/44|title=War On Gaza Day 3|date=2008-12-29|publisher=[[Al-Jazeera]]|language=Arabic|accessdate=2009-06-21}}</ref>]]
[[Human Rights Watch]] stated that police are presumptively civilians but are considered valid targets if formally incorporated into the armed forces of a party to a conflict or directly participate in the hostilities.<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 inherently equivalent to armed fighters, including them in the militant's count.<ref name="Israel's Gaza toll far lower than Palestinian tally" /> The PCHR representative argued that Israel wrongly classified 255 police officers killed at the outset of the war as militants,<ref name="Israel's Israel challenges Palestinian claim on Gaza dead">{{Cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2009Mar26/0,4670,MLIsraelPalestinians,00.html| publisher=[[Fox News]]| date=2009-03-26 | title=Israel challenges Palestinian claim on Gaza dead}}</ref> explaining that International Law regards policemen who are not engaged in fighting as non-combatants or civilians.<ref name="Israel's Gaza toll far lower than Palestinian tally" /> Israeli [[Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center]] (ITIC) compiled a report saying that during Gaza War many supposedly civil policemen were at the same time operatives in Hamas’s military wing.<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 that during Operation Cast Lead members of Hamas’s internal security forces served as commanders and operatives in Hamas’s military wing |date=2009-03-24|publisher=Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center}}</ref> ITIC stated that Hamas' military wing recruits police officers for military operations and that police forces were drafted to fight Israel during the war in January 2009.<ref>[http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2009/me_hamas0708_09_07.asp Israeli intel: Hamas using police for military ops], WorldTribune, September 7, 2009</ref> One of ITIC bulletins also presented supposed evidence of Hamas policy to hide details of Hamas men who got killed or injured in the fighting.<ref name="Hamas hides the casualties suffered by its operatives">{{Cite news| title=Hamas hides the casualties suffered by its operatives| url=http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/hamas_e037.htm| publisher=IITC}}</ref>

B'Tselem in its fatalities' figures report wrote that it knew many police officers in the Gaza Strip are also members of the military wings of Palestinian armed groups, and might have taken part in hostilities against Israel. At the same time, the NGO did not possess concrete information on integration of police officers in the combat forces of Hamas and was unable to determine whether all the police officers were legitimate targets or whether the Palestinian police in Gaza, as an institution, is part of the combat forces of Hamas, all of whose members carry out a continuous combat function. For these reasons, police officers that were killed in an attack aimed at police or police stations, were listed by B'Tselem in a separate category.<ref name="btselem.org" />

The [[Goldstone Report]] concluded that while there were many individual Gaza policemen who were members of militant groups, the Gaza police forces were a civilian police force and "cannot be said to have been taking a direct part in hostilities and thus did not lose their civilian immunity from direct attack as civilians".<ref name=UNFFMGCReport_pdf /> The report did not "rule out the possibility that there might be individuals in the police force who retain their links to the armed groups" but finds no evidence that the police were part of the Gaza armed forces and that it "could not verify the allegations of membership of armed groups of policemen."<ref name=UNFFMGCReport_pdf /> NGO [[UN Watch]] noted that the Goldstone Report relies on the testimony of the Gaza police spokesperson Islam Shahwan and accepts the interpretation of his own words "face the enemy" as meaning "distributing food stuffs".<ref name="Goldstone report cites same Hamas witness who claims Israel distributes libido-increasing gum">[http://blog.unwatch.org/?p=474 Goldstone report cites same Hamas witness who claims Israel distributes libido-increasing gum], UN Watch, 29 September 2009.</ref> In the initial response to the fact-finding mission's report, issued on 24 September 2009, Israeli Government further added that "in seeking to support its assertion" that the police in Gaza were a civilian police force, not only did the committee reinterpreted some of the evidences, but also ignored other explicit statements of the police officials, e.g. the alleged admission by Hamas police chief Jamal al-Jarrah that "the police took part in the fighting alongside the resistance".<ref name="INITIAL RESPONSE TO REPORT OF THE FACT FINDING MISSION ON GAZA">[http://www.mfa.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/FC985702-61C4-41C9-8B72-E3876FEF0ACA/0/GoldstoneReportInitialResponse240909.pdf INITIAL RESPONSE TO REPORT OF THE FACT FINDING MISSION ON GAZA], IMFA, 24 September 2009</ref>

In November 2010, Hamas' Interior Minister said that the police were "martyrs" who were affiliated with Hamas and other factions.<ref name="Ma'an 2010-11-02"/>

===Health problems in Gaza===
Following the war, Gaza has witnessed increasing epidemics of health problems.
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 web|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}}</ref> Leukemia is a known symptom{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}} in people who have been exposed to [[depleted uranium]] munition.

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| pmid=20228449 | accessdate = 2010-05-15| year = 2010| url = http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20228449 }}</ref> Lawyers who brought back soil samples from Gaza said that areas where these samples 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_English_Xinhua |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=2009-06-11 |accessdate=2010-05-08}}</ref> The Israeli government has denied it has used Depleted Uranium, and the United Nations is investigating.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Melman |first=Yossi |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1057649.html |title=UN to probe claim Israel used depleted uranium bombs in Gaza – Haaretz Daily Newspaper &#124; Israel News |publisher=Haaretz.com |date= |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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/07/200973020830886898.html |title=Middle East – Israel admits white phosphorus use |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=2009-07-31 |accessdate=2010-05-08}}</ref>

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 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]</ref>

===Gaza humanitarian crisis===
{{See also|2008-2009 Gaza Strip aid}}
[[Image: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]]
The United Nations [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]] reported that the Gaza strip 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 percent of the population could not support themselves and were dependent on humanitarian assistance.<ref name="ocha_report_1_2" /> The [[International Committee of the Red Cross|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>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/world/middleeast/28egypt.html Michael Slackman, 'At a Border Crossing, Drivers and Truckloads of Aid for Gaza Go Nowhereì, New York Times, January 27, 2009]</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 in Gaza |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/01/gaza-food-crisis |title=Peter Beaumont, 'Gaza desperately short of food after Israel destroys farmland,'The Observer, February 1, 2009 |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 |title=Donald Macintyre,'Gaza counts the cost – and assigns blame,' The Independent Sunday, February 1, 2009 |publisher=Independent.co.uk |date=2009-02-01 |accessdate=2010-03-24 | location=London}}</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" />

On January 3, prior to 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
| title =  Livni: No crisis in Gaza Strip
| url = http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/01/20091115532645312.html
| date = 2009-01-01
| publisher = [[Aljazeera English]]
| accessdate = 2009-01-03
}}</ref> The Secretary-General of the [[Arab League]], [[Amr Moussa]], criticized Livni's statement and further criticized the [[UN Security Council|Security Council]] for not responding faster to the crisis.<ref name = haaretz_humanitarian>{{Cite web|url=http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052302.html |title=Arab League slams Livni remark 'there's no humanitarian crisis in Gaza' – Haaretz – Israel News |publisher=Haaretz |date= |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
| title = Field Update On Gaza From The Humanitarian Coordinator
| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_situation_report_2009_01_11_english.pdf
| date = 2009-01-11
| publisher = [[UN]] [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
| accessdate = 2009-01-14
| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5dobk3eDZ
| archivedate = 2009-01-14
}}</ref>

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="sir_john_holmes_statement" /><ref name="ocha_report_1_29">{{Cite news
| title = Field Update on Gaza From The Humanitarian Coordinator – 27–29 January 2009, 1700 hours
| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_01_29_english.pdf
| date = 2009-01-29
| accessdate = 2009-02-11
| agency = [[UN]] [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5eVXFsjS9
| archivedate = 2009-02-11
}}</ref><ref name="ocha_report_1_19">{{Cite news
| title = Field Update On Gaza From The Humantirian Coordinator – 19 January 2009, 1700 hours
| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_01_19_english.pdf
| date = 2009-01-19
| agency = [[UN]] [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
| accessdate = 2009-01-22
| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5e0euCd7M
| archivedate = 2009-01-22
}}</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
| title = 'Every Gazan has a tale of profound grief to tell'..., Security Council told
| 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
| agency = [[United Nations Regional Information Centre]] Magazine
| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5egroulrH
| archivedate = 2009-02-19
}}</ref>
[[Image:Tent camp gaza strip april 2009.jpg|thumb|left|Tent camp, Gaza Strip, April 2009]]
As a result of the conflict, the [[European Union]], the [[Organization 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=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
| title = Field Update on Gaza From the Humanitarian Coordinator
| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_02_05_english.pdf
| date = 2009-02-05
| accessdate = 2009-02-13
| agency = [[UN]] [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5eYrdS5Vu
| archivedate = 2009-02-13
}}</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
| title = UNRWA suspends activities in Gazans after Hamas seized aid
| url = http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/07/content_10776872.htm
| agency = [[Xinhua News]]
| date =  2009-02-06
| accessdate = 2009-02-13
}}</ref> On February 9, UNRWA lifted the suspension on the movement of its humanitarian supplies into Gaza, after the Hamas authorities returned all of the aid supplies confiscated.<ref name="ocha_report_2_9">{{Cite news
| title = Field Update on Gaza From the Humanitarian Coordinator, 6–9 February 2009, 1700 hours
| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_02_09_english-20090210-104024.pdf
| date = 2009-02-09
| accessdate = 2009-02-13
| agency = [[UN]] [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5eZY2NjpS
| archivedate = 2009-02-13
}}</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
| title = Field Update On Gaza From The Humanitarian Coordinator, 30 January – 2 February 2009, 1700 hours
| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_02_02_english.pdf
| date = 2009-02-02
| accessdate = 2009-02-11
| agency = [[UN]] [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5eWGIhb7g
| archivedate = 2009-02-11
}}</ref> The UN also reported that international organizations have faced "unprecedented denial" of access to Gaza by Israel since 5 November and that humanitarian access remains unreliable and needs to be granted in a daily basis unrestricted.<ref name="ocha_report_1_26">{{Cite news
| title = Field Update On Gaza From The Humanitarian Coordinator – 24–26 January 2009, 1700 hours
| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_01_26_english.pdf
| date = 2009-01-26
| accessdate = 2009-01-28
| agency = [[UN]] [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5e9bgEbhd
| archivedate = 2009-01-28
}}</ref>

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 damages. 29 ambulances were partially damaged or destroyed.<ref name="who_report_2_4">{{Cite news
| title = Health Situation in the Gaza Strip
| url = http://www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis/admin/output/files/ocha_opt_who_gaza_situation_report_2009_02_04_english.pdf
| date = 2009-02-04
| accessdate = 2009-02-13
| agency = [[World Health Organization]]
| publisher = UN [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]
| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5eXoiYV1l
| archivedate = 2009-02-13
}}</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 web|title=Palestinian wounded finally pass through Egypt crossing|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ipy-I4l8HBUyagJsP_RJwLFRWkbQ|publisher=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 December 29 and January 22, 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 [[UN Development Programme]] (UNDP) estimates that 14,000 homes, 68 government buildings, and 31 non-governmental organization offices (NGOs) were either totally or partially damaged. As a result, an estimated 600,000 tonnes of concrete rubble will need to be removed.<ref name="ocha_report_2_5" /> Since 2007, construction material have not permitted entry into Gaza, adversely affecting UN projects, in particular [[UNRWA]] and UNDP which were forced to suspend more than $100 million in construction projects due to lack of materials.<ref name="ocha_report_1_19" />

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>

===Effects on Israel===
[[File:Rocketpopmap.jpeg|thumb|According to [[Human Rights Watch|HRW]], during the Gaza War, rocket attacks placed up to 800,000 people within range of attack.<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 &#124; Human Rights Watch |publisher=Hrw.org |date=2009-10-20 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>]]
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 – Middle East, World |publisher=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> 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"], Associated Press, 11-01-2009</ref> Palestinian rockets landed on Israeli educational facilities several times during the conflict with no casualties.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3648122,00.html IDF: Rocket that hit Beersheba school made in China]. By Yael Barnovsky. [[Ynet News]]. 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"], 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> 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], 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>Abe Selig, [http://www.jpost.com/Home/Article.aspx?id=128844 "Back to school for students in South"] Jerusalem Post 12-01-2009</ref> The largest hospital on Israel's southern coast, Ashkelon's [[Barzilai Hospital]], moved its critical treatment facilities into an underground shelter after a Gaza-fired rocket struck beside its [[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>

==International law==
<!-- 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. -->
{{Main|International law and the Gaza War}}
{{See also|United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict}}
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 (law)|distinction]] and [[proportionality (international 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 [[NGO]]s 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 web|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>

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 Defence Force (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
| work = APF
| accessdate = 2009-10-16
| date = 2009-10-16
| url =http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gsdjgCX2JtwyHVtOEKfuVieGZaLw
}}</ref>

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 20, 2009 |publisher=Hrw.org |date=2009-10-20 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref><ref>Laub, Karen. [http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=168015 Rights group faults Israel's Cast Lead crimes probe] Associated Press. 7 February 2010</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>

==Media==
{{Main|Media and the Gaza War}}
[[File:Photojournalists in 2008-2009 Israel-Gaza conflict.jpg|thumb|Photojournalists during the conflict]]
International news networks named the conflict "War in Gaza" and focused on the assault. Israeli media called it the "War in the South" ({{langx|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}}</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}}</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 |publisher=New York Times}}</ref>

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 web| title=Gaza reporter on Al-Arabiya: "A rocket from here? It's here. Listen, it's here, below the building..." | date=2009-01-20 | url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1057129.html }}</ref> On December 29, the IDF destroyed the facilities and headquarters of [[Al-Aqsa TV]] (though broadcasts continue from elsewhere), and 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| first= | last= | pages= | language =| 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>

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.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}} [[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 in order 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 web| last =Ravid| first =Barak| authorlink = | title =Israel to mount emergency international PR effort in wake of Gaza campaign| work =| publisher =| date =December 27, 2008| url =http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050402.html | doi =| accessdate =December 27, 2008 | archiveurl= |archivedate= }}</ref> In an effort 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?commentpage=3&commentposted=1 | publisher=The Guardian | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| title=Latest hasbara weapon: 'Army of bloggers' | author= Jonathan beck | date= January 18, 200 | url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1232292897417&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull | publisher=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/hasen/spages/1056648.html | publisher=Haaretz }}</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>

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 web|last=Socol |first=Max |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1230456531523 |title=IDF launches YouTube Gaza channel &#124; Israel &#124; Jerusalem Post |publisher=Fr.jpost.com |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=1:23 p.m. ET |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28450663/ |title=Israel's military takes PR battle to YouTube - Tech and gadgets- msnbc.com |publisher=MSNBC |date=2008-12-31 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>

==Reactions==
{{Main|International reaction to the Gaza War}}
{{See also|Antisemitic incidents during the Gaza War}}

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 name=CNN1229>{{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}}[[Mustafa Barghouti]], a member of the Palestinian parliament, said: "This is not a war on Hamas; it is a war on the Palestinian people."</ref><ref name=Ynet1227>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3644911,00.html|title=Hamas says at least 150 killed in IAF strikes in Gaza|publisher=YNET|date=December 27, 2009}}Khaled el-Bash, a senior member of [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]], said: "Israel has declared an open war on the Palestinian people."</ref><ref name=Butcher>{{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}}Rafat Masri, a Palestinian living in Gaza, said: "Israel said this was a war on Hamas but when they kill people like my daughter it becomes clear it is a war on the Palestinian people."</ref><ref name=Minnpost>{{Cite web|title=A Palestinian-American's view of the conflict in Gaza|author=Eric Black|date=January 16, 2009|accessdate=2010-08-03-2010|url=http://www.minnpost.com/ericblack/2009/01/16/5924/a_palestinian-americans_view_of_the_conflict_in_gaza}}Ziad Amra, a [[Palestinian American]] and spokesman for the [[American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee]], said this was, "a war on the civilian population of Gaza and a war on the Palestinian people."</ref><ref name=Eturbo>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eturbonews.com/7099/gaza-truth-or-consequence|title=Gaza: Truth or Consequence|author=Hazel Heyer|date=January 7, 2009|publisher=Eturbo News|accessdate=2010-03-08}}[[As'ad AbuKhalil]], Lebanese-American professor of political science, said: "This is probably the first open war on the Palestinian people launched with the direct participation and cooperation between Israel and Arab regimes."</ref><ref name=Woodward>{{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}}"During the war, Israeli politicians generally characterised the conflict as being waged against Hamas rather than the civilian population, yet Israeli peace activist Uri Avnery noted that in a recent Israeli Supreme Court hearing, lawyers representing the Israeli government were unusually blunt and unequivocal in the language they used. The Ministry of Justice stated: 'The State of Israel is at war with the Palestinian people, people against people, collective against collective.'"</ref>

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">
{{Cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSTRE4BR0H920081228
|title=U.N. Security Council calls for end to Gaza violence|last=Worsnip
|first=Patrick
|coauthors=Todd Eastham|date=December 28, 2008
|publisher=Reuters
|accessdate=December 28, 2008}}
</ref> The [[Arab League]],<ref>
{{Cite news
|title=A rush to broker peace in Gaza
|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0106/p01s02-usfp.html}}
</ref> the [[European Union]] and many nations made similar calls.<ref>
{{Cite news
|last=Castle
|first=Stephen
|coauthors=Katrin Bennhold
|title=Europe Sends Two Missions to Promote a Cease-Fire
|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/05/world/europe/05union.html|publisher=New York Times
| date=2009-01-05
| accessdate=2010-04-02}}
</ref> On January 9, 2009, following an earlier, failed attempt at a ceasefire resolution,<ref name=Reuters>
{{Cite news
| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSL4657519._CH_.2400
| title=Israeli tanks, soldiers invade Gaza Strip
| publisher=Reuters
| date=2009-01-04
| author = Nidal al-Mughrabi
| accessdate=2009-01-04}}
</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>
{{Cite news
|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/09/gaza-us-security-council-abstention
|title=White House 'behind' US volte-face on ceasefire call January 9, 2009
|publisher=The Guardian
| location=London
| first=Julian
| last=Borger
| date=2009-01-09
| accessdate=2010-04-02}}
</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=Middle East &#124; UN ceasefire call goes unheeded |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-01-09 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>

[[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|#F20000|States that endorsed the Hamas position/defined Hamas' actions as falling within its right of resistance.}}{{legend|#FF7777|States that condemned Israeli action only.}}{{legend|#9ADD84|States that called for an end to hostilities, and condemned neither/both belligerents.}} {{legend|#DCDCDC|States that made no official statement on the conflict.}}]]

Many governments expressed positions on the conflict, most condemning both belligerents, or neither of them. Thirty-four states, mostly members of the [[Organization of the Islamic Conference]], condemned Israel's attacks exclusively. Three of them – [[Iran]], [[Libya]] and [[North Korea]] – 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 – [[Australia]], [[Austria]], [[Canada]], the [[Czech Republic]], [[Denmark]], [[Germany]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Hungary]], [[Italy]], [[Lithuania]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Panama]] and the [[United States]] – expressed support for Israel's operations or defined them as falling within Israel's right to self defense.

[[Bolivia]], [[Jordan]], [[Mauritania]] and [[Venezuela]] significantly downscaled or severed their relations with Israel in protest of the offensive.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Heison Moreno |url=http://www.radiomundial.com.ve/yvke/noticia.php?17621 |title=Bolivia rompe relaciones diplomáticas con Israel y anuncia demanda por genocidio en Gaza :: YVKE Mundial |publisher=Radiomundial.com.ve |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/05/content_10603389.htm |title=PM: Jordan reserves rights to reconsider relations with states, especially Israel_English_Xinhua |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=2009-01-05 |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/2009116151135307776.html |title=Middle East – Qatar, Mauritania cut Israel ties |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=Luigino Bracci |url=http://www.radiomundial.com.ve/yvke/noticia.php?17680 |title=Venezuela rompe relaciones diplomáticas con Israel por su repugnante ensañamiento en Gaza :: YVKE Mundial |publisher=Radiomundial.com.ve |date= |accessdate=2010-03-24}}</ref>

The conflict was marked by worldwide civilian demonstrations for and against both sides, with many protesters disagreeing with their governments' official position on the conflict.<ref>[http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h9KysGfr_McbPBkSWsjXJzvto83A Major cities stage fresh protests over Gaza], AFP 11-01-2009</ref> Protests in [[Egypt]] led to controversial police detentions of Islamist protesters.<ref>Will Rasmussen, [http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKTRE50D3UK20090114 Egypt police hold 16 Islamists after Gaza protests], Reuters 14-01-2009</ref>

[[Supreme Leader of Iran|Iran’s Supreme Leader]], [[Ali Khamenei]] issued a [[Fatwa|religious decree]] to Muslims around the world on December 28, ordering them to "defend the defenseless women, children and people in Gaza in any way possible", and calling those who die as "martyr[s]".<ref name="Fatwa">{{Cite news|url=http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050626.html|title=Saudi cleric issues fatwa urging Muslims to avenge Gaza raids |publisher=Haaretz|date=2008-12-28|accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref> More than 70,000 Iranian student volunteers have registered to carry out attacks against Israel. Several riots broke out in Tehran where students demanded to be sent to Gaza where they could fight the Israelis.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.theage.com.au/world/suicide-bombers-ready-to-fight-israel-20090106-7an2.html |title=Suicide bombers ready to fight Israel |publisher=News.theage.com.au |date=2009-01-06 |accessdate=2010-03-24 | location=Melbourne}}</ref>

The conflict triggered a wave of 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 [[antisemitism|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], ''[[Jerusalem Post]]'', 25-01-2009</ref>

The British government reviewed all export licenses to Israel for violations of EU and national arms export control laws and decided to revoke the export licenses for a number of armaments because they were used by Israel in the Gaza offensive. The revocation of the export licenses applied to replacement parts and other equipment for Sa'ar 4.5 gunboats used by Israel. British policy is not to export armaments "where there is a clear risk that arms will be used for external aggression or internal repression." Ever since the Israeli offensive, human rights organizations in Britain have exerted pressure on the British Parliament to evaluate whether export control laws were broken by Israel's use of British armaments.<ref>Haaretz English edition on-line, July 13, 2007, "U.K.: We revoked Israel arms licenses, but it's no embargo" http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1099701.html</ref>

The conflict has been called the Gaza Massacre ({{langx|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'] [[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] [[Sunday Times (South Africa)|Sunday Times]]. September 1, 2009</ref> In response to Israeli air strikes, Hamas condemned Gaza 'Massacre'. Khaled Meshaal Hamas leader in Damascus called to wage suicide bombings. [[Ismail Haniyeh]], [[Governance of the Gaza Strip|PM of Hamas government of the Gaza Strip]], said: "Palestine has never witnesses 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']</ref> During the war, [[West Bank]] Palestinian youths rallied in [[East Jerusalem]] "to [express] our anger about the massacre in Gaza" Hatem Abdel Al-Qader, an adviser to PM of [[Fatah]] government in [[Ramallah]] said.<ref name="Massacre Claims 3">[http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/01/2009110134856498809.html Mass protests held against Gaza war]</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal box|Palestine|Israel}}
*[[2008 Israel–Hamas ceasefire]]
*[[2008–2009 Israel–Gaza foreign involvement]]
*[[Military equipment of Israel]]
*[[Palestinian domestic weapons production]]
*[[Civil defense in Israel]]
*[[Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades]] (Hamas' military wing)
*[[Gaza Strip smuggling tunnels]]
*[[List of modern conflicts in the Middle East]]
*[[EDO MBM Technology v. Smash EDO campaign]]
*[[Palestinian political violence]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|2008–2009 Israel-Gaza conflict}}

===Involved parties===
* [http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/opcast/default.htm IDF Spokesperson's Website on Operation Cast Lead]

===Resources===
* [http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/war_on_gaza/ Aljazeera coverage]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7812136.stm Gaza crisis: key maps and timeline], [[BBC News]].
* [http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/news/gaza/ CNN coverage].
* [http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/pages/001/page_45.asp Radio France International coverage].

{{2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict}}
{{Gaza crisis}}
{{Israeli-Palestinian Conflict}}

[[:Category:2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict]]
[[ar:الهجوم على قطاع غزة]]
[[bg:Война в Газа (2008-2009)]]
[[ca:Operació Plom Fos]]
[[cs:Válka v Gaze]]
[[cy:Ymosodiad Israel ar Lain Gaza 2008–2009]]
[[da:Israel-Gaza-konflikten 2008-2009]]
[[de:Operation Gegossenes Blei]]
[[et:Operatsioon Sulatina]]
[[el:Επίθεση στη Λωρίδα της Γάζας (2008-2009)]]
[[es:Conflicto de la Franja de Gaza de 2008-2009]]
[[eo:Konflikto de la Gaza Sektoro (2008-2009)]]
[[eu:2008-2009ko Gazako gatazka]]
[[fa:جنگ غزه ۲۰۰۸–۲۰۰۹]]
[[fr:Guerre de Gaza de 2008-2009]]
[[gl:Operación chumbo fundido]]
[[ko:가자 전쟁]]
[[hr:Rat u Gazi 2008.-2009.]]
[[id:Konflik Israel-Gaza 2008-2009]]
[[it:Operazione Piombo fuso]]
[[he:מבצע עופרת יצוקה]]
[[jv:Konflik Gaza 2008-2009]]
[[ka:ოპერაცია ჩამოსხმული ტყვია]]
[[lt:Lietas švinas (karinė operacija)]]
[[hu:2008–2009-es Izrael–Hamász-konfliktus]]
[[ml:ഗാസായുദ്ധം]]
[[ms:Konflik Israel–Gaza 2008–2009]]
[[nl:Conflict in de Gazastrook 2008-2009]]
[[ja:ガザ紛争 (2008年-2009年)]]
[[no:Gaza-krigen]]
[[pl:Operacja Płynny Ołów]]
[[pt:Operação Chumbo Fundido]]
[[ru:Операция «Литой свинец»]]
[[simple:Gaza war]]
[[sl:Operacija Cast Lead]]
[[sr:Операција Ливено олово]]
[[fi:Operaatio Valettu lyijy]]
[[sv:Gazakriget]]
[[th:ความขัดแย้งอิสราเอล-ปาเลสไตน์ พ.ศ. 2552]]
[[tr:Gazze Savaşı]]
[[uk:Війна в секторі Газа (2008—2009)]]
[[ur:2008ء-2009ء غزہ پر اسرائیلی حملے]]
[[vi:Chiến tranh Israel–Hamas 2008-2009]]
[[wuu:2008年末─2009年初加沙地带大规模军事行动]]
[[yi:געגאסענע בליי אפעראציע]]
[[zh:加沙戰爭]]























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