Gaza–Israel conflict

{{main|Israeli–Palestinian conflict}}

Israel fought 6 wars with Gaza from 1947 to 1987.

Israel occupied the Gaza Strip during the Suez Crisis in 1956. During this occupation, 930–1,200 Palestinians were killed, most notably in the Khan Younis massacre and Rafah massacre. In total, about 1% of the population of the Gaza Strip was either killed, wounded, tortured or imprisoned by Israel.{{sfn|Filiu|2014|p=105}} In 1957, Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip after American pressure.{{sfn|Filiu|2014|p=103}}

In the 1967 war, Israel occupied Gaza Strip, along with Sinai, Golan Heights and the West Bank. During the war, and shortly after, between 40,000 and 45,000 civilians fled or were expelled from the Gaza Strip.{{sfn|Filiu|2014|p=127}} Many Palestinian civilians were killed as they fled. On 11 June, a grenade killed 8 Gaza civilians and a shooting killed another 10.{{sfn|Filiu|2014|p=127}}

During the First intifada, in the Gaza Strip alone, 142 Palestinians were killed, while no Israelis died: 77 were shot dead, and 37 died from tear-gas inhalation. 17 died from beatings at the hand of Israeli police or soldiers.{{cite book |last=Filiu |first=Jean-Pierre |author-link=Jean-Pierre Filiu |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4fhzBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA207 |title=Gaza: A History |date=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780190201890 |page=206 |access-date=11 December 2023 |archive-date=27 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827082849/https://books.google.com/books?id=4fhzBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA207#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}

{{main|Israel–Gaza barrier}}

Israel completed the initial Israel–Gaza barrier in 1996. It has helped reduce infiltration from Gaza Strip into Israel.{{Citation needed|date=February 2014}} Special permits to enter Israel for medical purposes were also greatly reduced,{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}} which has made travel for Palestinians difficult.{{cite web |title = Checkpoints, Physical Obstructions, and Forbidden Roads |work = Btselem |url = http://www.btselem.org/freedom_of_movement/checkpoints_and_forbidden_roads |access-date = 26 November 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121205072559/https://www.btselem.org/freedom_of_movement/checkpoints_and_forbidden_roads |archive-date = 5 December 2012 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}

Daniel Schueftan, in his 1999 book, Disengagement: Israel and the Palestinian Entity{{cite journal |title= Book Review of Korah Ha'hafrada: Yisrael Ve Harashut Ha'falestinit, Disengagement: Israel and the Palestinian Authority |author-link= Meyrav Wurmser |first= Meyrav |last= Wurmser |journal= Middle East Quarterly |date=Fall 2002 |access-date= 17 March 2007 |url= http://www.meforum.org/article/1488 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070929105138/http://www.meforum.org/article/1488 |archive-date= 29 September 2007 |url-status= live |df= dmy-all }} ("The Need for Separation: Israel and the Palestinian Authority"), reviews new and existing arguments underlying different separation stances, in order to make the case for separation from the Palestinians, beginning with those in the West Bank and Gaza. Schueftan favors the "hard separation" stances of politicians like Yitzhak Rabin and Ehud Barak.{{cite web|title=The New Walls and Fences: Consequences for Israel and Palestine |first1=Gershon |last1=Baskin |first2=Sharon |last2=Rosenberg |publisher=Centre for European Policy Studies |date=June 2003 |url=http://shop.ceps.be/free/1037.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516180639/http://shop.ceps.be/free/1037.pdf |archive-date=16 May 2006 }}

Yitzhak Rabin was the first to propose the creation of a physical barrier between the Israeli and Palestinian populations in 1992, and by 1994, construction on the first barrier – the Israel–Gaza barrier – had begun; it is actually a wire fence equipped with sensors. Following an attack on Bet Lid, near the city of Netanya, Rabin specified the objectives behind the undertaking, stating that:

{{Blockquote | This path must lead to a separation, though not according to the borders prior to 1967. We want to reach a separation between us and them. We do not want the majority of the Jewish residents of the state of Israel, 98% of whom live within the borders of sovereign Israel, including a united Jerusalem, to be subject to terrorism."{{Citation | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=AMqLgW_B_BAC&pg=PA325 | title = Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: from Balfour Promise to Bush Declaration: The Complications and the Road for a Lasting Peace | pages = 325–26 | first = Gabriel G | last = Tabarani | publisher = AuthorHouse | year = 2008 | isbn = 978-1-46787904-0 | access-date = 15 November 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160123112516/https://books.google.com/books?id=AMqLgW_B_BAC&pg=PA325 | archive-date = 23 January 2016 | url-status = live | df = dmy-all }}{{Citation | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=kftqQdNNDWAC&pg=PA191 | title = Routledge Handbook on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict | page = 191 | first = Gerald M | last = Steinberg | publisher = Routledge | year = 2013 | isbn = 978-0-41577862-6 | access-date = 15 November 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160123112516/https://books.google.com/books?id=kftqQdNNDWAC&pg=PA191 | archive-date = 23 January 2016 | url-status = live | df = dmy-all }}}}

{{main|Second Intifada}}

File:AH-64Apache004.jpg (IAF) AH-64 Apache were used as platform for shooting guided missiles at Palestinian targets and employed at the targeted killings policy against both militants and political leaders.]]

The Second Intifada, also known as the al-Aqsa Intifada, began in September 2000. Many Palestinians considered the Intifada to be a struggle of national liberation against Israeli occupation imposed on them following the 1967 War, whereas many Israelis considered it to be a terrorist campaign.{{Cite web |url=https://remix.aljazeera.com/aje/PalestineRemix/intifada.html |title=Palestinian uprising against the Israeli occupation |access-date=25 November 2023 |archive-date=25 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125132154/https://remix.aljazeera.com/aje/PalestineRemix/intifada.html |url-status=live }}

Palestinian tactics ranged from carrying out mass protests and general strikes, as in the First Intifada, to mounting suicide bombing attacks and firing Qassam rockets into southeastern Israeli residential areas. Israeli tactics ranged from conducting mass arrests and locking up Palestinians in administrative detention to setting up checkpoints and building the Israeli Gaza Strip barrier and West Bank barrier to carrying out assassinations targeting militants and leaders of Palestinian organizations.

After the 2006 Palestinian legislative election, Israel negotiated with Mahmoud Abbas and the PLO, but simultaneously targeted and bombed Hamas activists and militants and arrested Hamas's elected legislative council politicians.

The death toll, both military and civilian, over the entire period in question (2000–2007) is estimated to be over 4,300 Palestinians and over 1,000 Israelis; 64 foreign citizens were also killed (54 by Palestinians, and 10 by Israeli security forces).{{Cite web|url=https://www.btselem.org/statistics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202225031/http://www.btselem.org/English/Statistics/Casualties.asp|url-status=dead|title=Statistics|archive-date=2 December 2010|website=B'Tselem}}

{{main|Israeli disengagement from Gaza}}

Israel implemented its Disengagement Plan in August–September 2005, withdrawing its civilian and military presence from the Gaza Strip, and retaining control over the Gaza airspace, maritime access and borders even with Egypt according to the 2005 agreement with the Palestinian authority. Qassam rockets were fired regularly prior to the Israeli disengagement and the frequency of Qassam attacks increased after the Disengagement from Gaza. Palestinian militants have targeted a number of military bases and civilian towns in Southern Israel.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,202159,00.html |title=The Homemade Rocket That Could Change the Mideast |author=Tony Karon |magazine=Time |date=10 February 2002 |access-date=17 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604015601/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,202159,00.html |archive-date=4 June 2008 |url-status=dead }}

Since 2001, Palestinian militants have launched thousands of rocket and mortar attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8340096.stm|work=BBC|title=Hamas 'tests long-range rocket'|year=2009|access-date=30 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201005556/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8340096.stm|archive-date=1 December 2018|url-status=live}} killing, injuring and traumatizing Israeli civilians.{{cite news |title=Sderot traumatic stress center sees steep rise in new patients |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/861662.html |work=Ha'aretz |date=21 May 2007 |access-date=17 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080814035440/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/861662.html |archive-date=14 August 2008 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|title=Report: 33 percent of Sderot kids suffer post-traumatic stress |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/792848.html |work=Ha'aretz |date=27 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080111144443/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/792848.html |archive-date=11 January 2008 }}

In July 2006, Israel briefly re-occupied parts of northern Gaza Strip and used the occupied areas as bases for raids into Jabalya and Beit Lahya.{{sfn|Filiu|2014|p=295}} Hamas responded by launching rockets.

{{main|Fatah–Hamas conflict}}

When the Islamic party Hamas won the January 2006 Palestinian legislative election, gaining a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council,{{Cite news |date=26 January 2006 |title=Hamas sweeps to election victory |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4650788.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=12 May 2024 |archive-date=26 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826232930/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4650788.stm |url-status=live }} the conflict between Israel and Gaza intensified. Israel sealed its border with the Gaza Strip, largely preventing the free flow of people and many imports and exports. Palestinians shot Qassam rockets at Israeli settlements located near the Gaza borders, and staged cross-border raids aimed at killing or capturing Israeli soldiers. In one such raid, on 25 June 2006, Palestinians captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, leading to massive retaliation by the Israeli army which included air strikes against Hamas targets.

In June 2007, internal fighting broke out between Hamas and Fatah, and Hamas fully consolidated its power by staging an armed coup d'état and taking control of the Gaza Strip. Following the internecine fighting that occurred between 7 and 15 June 2007, also known as the Battle of Gaza in which 118 Palestinians were killed and over 550 were wounded,[http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/220224/025f24b73a37ef712ad576eb84b22e84.htm Gaza-Westbank – ICRC Bulletin No. 22 / 2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116065806/http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/220224/025f24b73a37ef712ad576eb84b22e84.htm |date=16 November 2007}}, AlertNet, accessed 16 June 2007. the entire Gaza Strip came under full control of a Hamas government.

As a response to the Hamas takeover, Israel sharply restricted the flow of people and goods into and out of Gaza. About 70% of Gaza's workforce became unemployed or without pay, and about 80% of its residents lived in poverty.{{cite news |title=The War on Gaza's Children |url=https://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-makdisi22sep22,0,1839917.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions |work=Los Angeles Times |date=22 September 2007 |access-date=24 April 2008 |first=Saree |last=Makdisi |authorlink=Saree Makdisi|archive-date=27 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927212646/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-sep-22-oe-makdisi22-story.html |url-status=live}}

Since Hamas' takeover, Palestinian armed groups in Gaza and Israel continued to clash. Palestinian armed groups fired rockets into Israel, killing Israeli civilians, including children, and wounding others, as well as causing damage to infrastructure; and Israel launched attacks and shelled Gaza with artillery, killing Palestinian combatants as well as civilians, including children,Casualties by year: 526 (2006), 295 (2007), 833 (2008), 1014 (2009), 68 (2010), 105 (2011), 246 (2012), 2 (2013). Source: B'Tselem [http://www.btselem.org/statistics/fatalities/before-cast-lead/by-date-of-event/gaza/palestinians-killed-by-israeli-security-forces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310102421/http://www.btselem.org/statistics/fatalities/before-cast-lead/by-date-of-event/gaza/palestinians-killed-by-israeli-security-forces|date=10 March 2013}} [http://www.btselem.org/statistics/fatalities/during-cast-lead/by-date-of-event/gaza/palestinians-killed-by-israeli-security-forces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310100858/http://www.btselem.org/statistics/fatalities/during-cast-lead/by-date-of-event/gaza/palestinians-killed-by-israeli-security-forces|date=10 March 2013}} [http://www.btselem.org/statistics/fatalities/after-cast-lead/by-date-of-event/gaza/palestinians-killed-by-israeli-security-forces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310094740/http://www.btselem.org/statistics/fatalities/after-cast-lead/by-date-of-event/gaza/palestinians-killed-by-israeli-security-forces|date=10 March 2013}}{{cite news |title=Israel and the Palestinians Gaza abacus |url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/pomegranate/2012/11/israel-and-palestinians |access-date=13 May 2013 |newspaper=The Economist |date=19 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510080924/http://www.economist.com/blogs/pomegranate/2012/11/israel-and-palestinians |archive-date=10 May 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite journal |journal=Journal of Palestine Studies |date=Spring 2009 |volume=38 |issue=3 |pages=122–138 |doi=10.1525/jps.2009.xxxviii.3.122|title=Israeli Military Operations against Gaza, 2000–2008|issn = 0377-919X }} and causing devastating damage to infrastructure.{{cite book |author1=Scott Poynting |author2=David Whyte |title=Counter-Terrorism and State Political Violence: The 'war on terror' as terror |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sbis_h_TplIC&pg=PA117 |access-date=14 May 2013 |date=16 May 2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-29848-6 |page=117 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627022754/http://books.google.com/books?id=sbis_h_TplIC&pg=PA117 |archive-date=27 June 2014 |url-status=live }} According to Human Rights Watch, the Palestinian deliberate attacks against civilians violated international humanitarian law. Because Hamas exercised power inside Gaza, it was responsible for stopping unlawful attacks even when carried out by other groups.{{cite news |title=Human Rights Watch written statement on Gaza to the UN Human Rights Council |url=http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/01/22/isrlpa17898.htm |work=Human Rights Watch |date=22 January 2008 |access-date=21 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307080336/http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/01/22/isrlpa17898.htm |archive-date=7 March 2008 |url-status=live }}

{{main|2006 Hamas cross-border raid|Operation Summer Rains|Operation Autumn Clouds (2006)}}

Large-scale conventional warfare beyond the peripheries of the Gaza Strip began when Palestinian militants abducted Corporal Gilad Shalit, and Israel responded by launching Operation "Summer Rains" on 28 June 2006. The operation became the first major mobilization within the Gaza Strip since Israel unilaterally disengaged from the region between August and September 2005.

The Gaza beach blast was an event on 9 June 2006 in which eight Palestinians were killed{{spaced ndash}}including nearly the entire family of seven-year-old Huda Ghaliya{{spaced ndash}}and at least thirty others were injured in an explosion on a beach near the municipality of Beit Lahia in the Gaza Strip.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5065982.stm Hamas militants vow to end truce] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116104618/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5065982.stm |date=16 November 2006 }}, BBC Online, 10 June 2006 The incident received considerable attention from news media worldwide, with blame for the explosion hotly disputed in the following weeks.

Israel maintains that it mobilized thousands of troops in order to suppress Qassam rocket fire against its civilian population and to secure the release of Gilad Shalit. It is estimated that between 7,000 and 9,000 Israeli artillery shells were fired into Gaza between September 2005 and June 2006, killing 80 Palestinians in 6 months.{{Cite web|url=http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/06/29/1420258|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113201036/http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06%2F06%2F29%2F1420258|url-status=dead|title=Democracy Now! | AIPAC v. Norman Finkelstein: A Debate on Israel's Assault on Gaza| website=Democracy Now! |archive-date=13 November 2007}} On the Palestinian side, over 1,300 Qassam rockets have been fired into Israel from September 2000 to 21 December 2006.[https://www.hrw.org/report/2007/06/30/indiscriminate-fire/palestinian-rocket-attacks-israel-and-israeli-artillery 2006–2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102001843/http://www.hrw.org/en/node/10911/section/9 |date=2 November 2014 }} Retrieved 6 March 2024 Israeli forces also continued to search for tunnels, used by militants to smuggle weapons, as well as monitor operations at checkpoints (with some assistance from the European Union at Rafah) for security reasons, specifically possible weapons transfers and uninhibited return of exiled extremist leaders and terrorists.{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061017/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians_3 |title=Yahoo! News |access-date=17 March 2008 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.defense-update.com/2005_01_01_defense-update_archive.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513140828/http://www.defense-update.com/2005_01_01_defense-update_archive.html|url-status=dead|title=Defense Update News Commentary: 1 January 2005 – 31 January 2005|archive-date=13 May 2008}}{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/65462.pdf |title=Country Reports on Terrorism 2005 |date=April 2006 |access-date=7 November 2012 |archive-date=15 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715154955/https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/65462.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.aish.com/jw/me/48907467.html|title=Defending Israel's Positions in Rafah|first1=Dan|last1=Gillerman|date=22 May 2004|website=aishcom|access-date=26 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326221400/https://www.aish.com/jw/me/48907467.html|archive-date=26 March 2019|url-status=live}}[http://domino.un.org/UNISPAl.NSF/361eea1cc08301c485256cf600606959/c996d2a0e321274185256e9a0051f5c6!OpenDocument S/PV.4972 of 19 May 2004] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409075333/http://domino.un.org/UNISPAl.NSF/361eea1cc08301c485256cf600606959/c996d2a0e321274185256e9a0051f5c6%21OpenDocument|date=9 April 2008}} As of 18 October 2006, Israel has discovered 20 tunnels used for illegal arms smuggling under the border of the Gaza Strip and Egypt.{{cite news|url=http://www.aipac.org/briefing/ |title=Today's Briefing |publisher=American Israel Public Affairs Committee |date=19 October 2006 |access-date=19 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216223606/http://www.aipac.org/briefing/ |archive-date=16 December 2014 }}

Israel had said it would withdraw from the Strip and end the operation as soon as Shalit was released.{{cite news|title=PM: We will not recapture Gaza |date=2 July 2006 |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3268440,00.html |work=Ynetnews |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120093842/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0%2C7340%2CL-3268440%2C00.html |archive-date=20 January 2008 }} The Palestinians had said that they were willing to return Shalit in exchange for the release of some of the Palestinians held in Israeli jails. The Palestinians and others have also said the assault was aimed at toppling the democratically elected Hamas-led government and at destabilizing the Palestinian National Authority, citing the targeting of civilian infrastructure such as a power station and the captures of government and parliament members. Some 300 Palestinians had been targeted by the IDF in the Gaza Strip since the kidnapping of Corporal Gilad Shalit.{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3320193,00.html |title=Commander: We met stiff terrorist resistance |work=Ynetnews |date=26 October 2006 |access-date=17 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424114213/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3320193,00.html |archive-date=24 April 2008 |url-status=live }}

In July 2006, first reports emerged about mystery injuries after Israeli attacks. Previously unseen injuries included severely damaged internal organs, severe internal burning and deep internal wounds often resulting in amputations or death. Bodies arrived severely fragmented, melted and disfigured. There were speculations about a new experimental weapon, particularly Dense inert metal explosives (DIMEs).[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/oct/17/israel1 Gaza doctors say patients suffering mystery injuries after Israeli attacks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131171857/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/oct/17/israel1 |date=31 January 2017 }}. The Guardian, 17 October 2006.

Attempting to curb Qassam rocket attacks fired at Southern Israel by Palestinian militants from the northern Gaza Strip,

Israel launched Operation "Autumn Clouds" on 1 November 2006.

On 8 November 2006, a day after Israel's withdrawal following Operation "Autumn Clouds", Israel Defense Forces shells missed their target—possibly due to a "technical malfunction"—and hit a row of houses in the Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun,{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/19/world/middleeast/19cnd-mideast.html?hp |title=Israeli Army Strikes Gaza Rocket-Launching Cell |author=Isabel Kershner |work=The New York Times |date=19 May 2007 |access-date=21 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906184328/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/19/world/middleeast/19cnd-mideast.html?hp |archive-date=6 September 2017 |url-status=live }} killing 19 Palestinians and wounding more than 40.[https://www.theguardian.com/israel/Story/0,,1942339,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed= 12 children among 19 killed by Israeli tank fire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504203327/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/nov/08/israel2 |date=4 May 2020 }}, The Guardian[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3326976,00.html Italy: Israel shelled Beit Hanoun deliberately] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307194834/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3326976,00.html |date=7 March 2008 }}, YNet Israel News, 12 November 2006 Israeli Defense Forces launched an investigation into the Beit Hanoun November 2006 incident (and later apologized for the incident), and the then Israeli President Ehud Olmert offered humanitarian assistance to those affected.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6127250.stm |title=Israeli shelling kills 18 in Gaza |work=BBC News |date=8 November 2006 |access-date=14 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216173918/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6127250.stm |archive-date=16 February 2007 |url-status=live }}

The 2006 Franco–Italian–Spanish Middle East Peace Plan was proposed after Israel invaded the Gaza Strip in Operation "Autumn Clouds" by Spanish Premier José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero during talks with French president Jacques Chirac. Italy's prime minister Romano Prodi gave his full support to the plan.

On 26 November, a ceasefire was signed by Palestinian organisations and Israel, and Israel withdrew its troops while the Palestinian Authority forces deployed to stop Qassam rocket launchings. Following the truce over 60 Qassam rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at Israel, and 1 Palestinian (armed with guns and grenades) was killed by the IDF. On 19 December, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad began taking open responsibility for the Qassam rocket firing, because they said Israel killed two of their members in Jenin.{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3339743,00.html |title=IDF kills gunman in Gaza for first time since truce |work=Ynetnews |date=26 October 2006 |access-date=17 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307135129/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3339743,00.html |archive-date=7 March 2008 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/805295.html |title=Report: IDF seizes Jihad man in Bethlehem; 2 Qassams fired |work=Haaretz |date=26 October 2006 |access-date=17 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424032723/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/805295.html |archive-date=24 April 2008 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3342493,00.html |title=Islamic Jihad vows to avenge death of 2 operatives |work=Haaretz |date=20 October 2006 |access-date=17 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424114226/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3342493,00.html |archive-date=24 April 2008 |url-status=live }}

A series of battles between Palestinian militants in Hamas-governed Gaza and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that began in mid-May 2007, with the inter-Palestinian violence flaring in the meantime. Palestinians fired more than 220 Qassam rocket attacks on Israel (Sderot and the western Negev) in more than a week. The Israeli Air Force fired missiles and bombs at the launching sites. The fighting came amid serious Palestinian factional violence and reports of growing level of humanitarian crisis in the region.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7280026.stm |work=BBC News |title=Gaza conditions 'at 40-year low' |date=6 March 2008 |access-date=3 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226003006/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7280026.stm |archive-date=26 February 2010 |url-status=live }} Hamas said they will continue to retaliate against Israeli strikes.

{{main|Blockade of the Gaza Strip}}

In September 2007, Israel declared Gaza "hostile territory."{{cite news|title=Israel declares Gaza 'hostile territory' |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/09/19/africa/mideast.php |work=IHT |date=19 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009125531/http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/09/19/africa/mideast.php |archive-date=9 October 2007 }} Historian Jean-Pierre Filiu finds this assertion "absurd", given that up to this point Israel had already fought 9 wars against Gaza. The declaration allowed Israel to prevent the transfer of electricity, fuel, and other supplies into Gaza. Hamas considered this a declaration of war, while Israel stated its purpose was to pressure Hamas into ending Qassam rocket attacks (which Israel said were intensifying).{{cite news |title=Israel Pressures Hamas Ahead of Rice's Arrival |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/world/middleeast/20mideast.html?scp=3&sq=Gaza+fuel+Qassam&st=nyt |work=The New York Times |date=19 September 2007 |first1=Steven |last1=Erlanger |first2=Helene |last2=Cooper |access-date=3 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531060214/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/world/middleeast/20mideast.html?scp=3&sq=Gaza+fuel+Qassam&st=nyt |archive-date=31 May 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Cabinet declares Gaza 'hostile territory' |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/905561.html |work=Ha'aretz |date=20 September 2007 |access-date=17 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220091324/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/905561.html |archive-date=20 February 2008 |url-status=live }}[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Templates/ArticleDynamicFix.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fMFA%2fGovernment%2fCommuniques%2f2007%2fSecurity%2bCabinet%2bdeclares%2bGaza%2bhostile%2bterritory%2b19-Sep-2007%2ehtm&NRNODEGUID=%7bC93011D3-18EA-4EEB-84C1-717072E4071A%7d&NRCACHEHINT=Guest Security Cabinet declares Gaza hostile territory] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805102121/http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Templates/ArticleDynamicFix.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2FMFA%2FGovernment%2FCommuniques%2F2007%2FSecurity%20Cabinet%20declares%20Gaza%20hostile%20territory%2019-Sep-2007.htm&NRNODEGUID=%7BC93011D3-18EA-4EEB-84C1-717072E4071A%7D&NRCACHEHINT=Guest |date=5 August 2011 }} by MFA Israel's decision to cut fuel supplies to Gaza were widely condemned (including by the European Union) as "collective punishment."{{cite news |title=EU warns against 'collective punishment' in Gaza |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-30214320071029 |work=Reuters |date=29 October 2007 |access-date=17 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224115811/http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-30214320071029 |archive-date=24 February 2008 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/02/07/isrlpa17994.htm|title=Gaza: Israel's Energy Cuts Violate Laws of War |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313020921/http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/02/07/isrlpa17994.htm |archive-date=13 March 2008 |publisher=Human Rights Watch}}[https://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/israel-cuts-electricity-and-food-supplies-gaza-20080121 Israel cuts electricity and food supplies to Gaza] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819232407/http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/israel-cuts-electricity-and-food-supplies-gaza-20080121 |date=19 August 2014 }} by Amnesty International

Israel has also arrested Hamas officials in the West Bank, including two cabinet members. Such arrests have been strongly condemned by international organizations and politicians.{{cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3404081,00.html|title=UN 'troubled' by Hamas legislators' arrests|date=24 May 2007|website=Ynetnews|access-date=26 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326221400/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3404081,00.html|archive-date=26 March 2019|url-status=live|last1=Greenberg|first1=Hanan}}{{cite news |title=Israel launches raids into Gaza |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6664917.stm |work=BBC News |date=17 May 2007 |access-date=20 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070525065221/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6664917.stm |archive-date=25 May 2007 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Ronny |last=Sofer |title=IDF may respond harshly |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3400428,00.html |publisher=ynetnews.com |date=15 May 2007 |access-date=20 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517070441/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3400428,00.html |archive-date=17 May 2007 |url-status=live }}"[https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL1731780720070526 Israel pushes Gaza offensive amid rocket attacks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110122402/http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL1731780720070526 |date=10 January 2009 }}"

By January 2008, according to a United Nations study, the economic effects of Israel's blockade on Gaza reached a critical threshold. Finally, on 17 January 2008, Israel sealed the border completely following a rise in rocket attacks. The breach of the Gaza-Egypt border began on 23 January 2008, after gunmen in the Gaza Strip set off an explosion near the Rafah Border Crossing, destroying part of the former Israeli Gaza Strip barrier. The United Nations estimates that as many as half the 1.5 million population of the Gaza Strip crossed the border into Egypt seeking food and supplies.{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}}

{{main|Operation Hot Winter}}

On 27 February 2008, Palestinian militants fired more than 40 Qassam rockets into southern Israel and the Israeli army fired three missiles at the Palestinian Interior Ministry in Gaza destroying the building.[http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/27/mideast/index.html Airstrike hits Gaza ministry building] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329171228/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/27/mideast/index.html |date=29 March 2008 }} CNN, 27 February 2008 On 28 February 2008, Israeli aircraft bombed a police station near the Gaza City home of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, killing several children.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080229224643/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/28/mideast/index.html Children killed as Gaza violence flares] CNN, 28 February 2008 The Israeli military says its air and ground operations against militants firing rockets from northern Gaza have hit at least 23 armed Palestinians, while Palestinian sources have reported higher death tolls and say many civilians have also been killed.[http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/01/mideast/index.html Palestinians: Israeli attacks killing dozens] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317114328/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/01/mideast/index.html |date=17 March 2008 }} CNN, 1 March 2008

Israel began its air and ground operations on 29 February.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aLyZdF2fucGg&refer=home |title=UN Demands End to Gaza Strip Violence as 72 Palestinians Killed |website=Bloomberg News |access-date=19 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409075333/http://domino.un.org/UNISPAl.NSF/361eea1cc08301c485256cf600606959/c996d2a0e321274185256e9a0051f5c6%21OpenDocument |archive-date=9 April 2008 }} The IDF's offensive in Gaza has killed more than 100 Palestinians in less than a week.{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/959923.html|title=Iran leader calls on Muslims to hit Israel 'in face' over Gaza op|date=2 March 2008|work=Haaretz.com|access-date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301200639/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/959923.html|archive-date=1 March 2009|url-status=live}} Palestinians fired 150 rockets at Israel which killed three Israelis. The United States called for an end to clashes between Israel and the Palestinians.{{Cite web|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g5m6DPBT8Ba1eOE00ORUel-9ZrKQ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210175818/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g5m6DPBT8Ba1eOE00ORUel-9ZrKQ|url-status=dead|title=White House calls for end to Gaza violence: spokesman|archive-date=10 February 2009}} The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, has accused Israel of "international terrorism", saying its assault on Gaza constitutes "more than a holocaust."{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314153405/http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/0C8EBD66-032E-4470-82FB-005D6A2B5186.htm|url-status=dead|title=Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera|archive-date=14 March 2008|website=aljazeera.com}} On 3 March Abbas suspended all contact with Israel over its assault on Gaza as the Israeli government sent warplanes to hit more targets early on Monday and vowed to continue its offensive.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080322063809/http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/52EF7122-5D4D-416A-B343-37118EAD689B.htm|url-status=dead|title=Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera|archive-date=22 March 2008|website=aljazeera.com}} The European Union condemned what it called "disproportionate use of force" by the Israeli military in Gaza after 54 Palestinians were killed in the highest casualty toll for a single day since fighting erupted in 2000.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-03-02-eu-israel_N.htm|title=EU condemns disproportionate use of force by Israel |website=USA Today |access-date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227031829/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-03-02-eu-israel_N.htm|archive-date=27 December 2011|url-status=live}} United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also issued a condemnation of what he termed Israel's "excessive and disproportionate" response, and called on Israel "to cease such attacks", while denouncing the ongoing rocket attacks on Sderot and Ashkelon.{{cite journal |url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25816&Cr=Palestin |title=Security Council, Secretary-General alarmed by deadly violence in Middle East |date=2 March 2008 |journal=UN News Centre |access-date=3 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126093841/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25816&Cr=Palestin |archive-date=26 January 2009 |url-status=live }}

In the Muslim world, demonstrators took to the streets to protest the IDF attacks. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Muslims to rise up and their leaders to hit Israel "in the face with their nations' anger." In Lebanon, hundreds of Hezbollah supporters gathered at the Fatima Gate at the border between Lebanon and Israel, shouting "Death to Israel" and waving Lebanese and Palestinian flags. In Egypt, thousands of students held protests at universities across the country calling on Arab leaders to stop Israeli aggression and support the Palestinians. Some protesters burned Israeli and American flags. About 10,000 protesters, mainly from Jordan's mainstream Muslim Brotherhood and smaller opposition groups, took to the streets in one of the country's most vocal and largest anti-Israeli demonstrations in recent years. Saudi Arabia meanwhile compared the IDF offensive to "Nazi war crimes" and called on the international community to stop what it called the "mass killings" of Palestinians. Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the IDF attacks can have "no humanitarian justification" and added that Israel was rejecting a "diplomatic solution" to the dispute. Most Israeli tanks and troops pulled out of northern Gaza 3 March 2008, and an Israel Defense Forces spokesman confirmed that the Israeli military was ending offensive operations there after five days.{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/03/mideast/index.html|title=Israel withdraws from Gaza as anti-rocket offensive ends|access-date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216223143/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/03/mideast/index.html|archive-date=16 December 2014|url-status=live}}

On 29 February 2008, the Israeli military launched Operation "Hot Winter" (also called Operation "Warm Winter") in response to Qassam rockets fired from the Strip by Hamas. The Israeli army killed 112 Palestinians, and Palestinian militants killed three Israelis. More than 150 Palestinians and seven Israelis have been injured.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7274929.stm |publisher=BBC |title=Israeli Gaza operation 'not over' |date=3 March 2008 |access-date=3 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306221223/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7274929.stm |archive-date=6 March 2008 |url-status=live }}

There was widespread international alarm at the scale of the operation, with the US state department encouraging Israel to exercise caution to avoid the loss of innocent life, and the European Union and the United Nations criticising Israel's "disproportionate use of force". The European Union also demanded an immediate end to Palestinian militant rocket attacks on Israel and urged Israel to halt activities that endanger civilians, saying they were "in violation of international law."{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/959837.html|title=U.S. calls for end to continued violence, return to peace talks|access-date=17 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306044945/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/959837.html|archive-date=6 March 2008|url-status=live}}

{{main|2008 Israel–Hamas ceasefire}}

File:Rock mort gaza 2008.JPG

The 2008 Israel–Hamas ceasefire was an Egyptian-brokered six-month Tahdia (an Arabic term for a lull) "for the Gaza area", which went into effect between Hamas and Israel on 19 June 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jun/19/israelandthepalestinians|title=Gaza militants and Israel begin fragile truce|author=Peter Walker and agencies|work=The Guardian|date=19 June 2008|access-date=14 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231080254/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jun/19/israelandthepalestinians|archive-date=31 December 2016|url-status=live}} Hamas' obligation was to stop the rocket attacks on Israel. During the initial 5-months of the ceasefire, and after a shaky start during the initial week, these attacks from Gaza decreased significantly for a total of 19 rocket and 18 mortar shell launchings,{{cite news |title=Rockets hit Israel, breaking Hamas truce |work=International Herald Tribune |author=Isabel Kershner |date=25 June 2008 |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/25/africa/25mideast.php |access-date=16 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210013724/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/25/africa/25mideast.php |archive-date=10 February 2009 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/data/pdf/PDF_19045_2.pdf|title=Summary of rocket fire and mortar shelling in 2008|publisher=Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)|access-date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215003/http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/data/pdf/PDF_19045_2.pdf|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}} compared to 1,199 rockets and 1,072 mortar shells in 2008 up to 19 June, a reduction of 98%.{{cite web|url=http://sadaka.ie/Files/Gaza_Ceasefire.pdf |title=The Israel-Hamas ceasefire of 19 June to 4 Nov. 2008 |author=Dr. David Morrison |publisher=SADAKA |date=2 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826203113/http://sadaka.ie/Files/Gaza_Ceasefire.pdf |archive-date=26 August 2014 }} Mark Regev, spokesman for the Israeli Prime Minister acknowledged that "there were no Hamas rockets during the ceasefire before November the 4th".{{cite web|url=http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=19041|title=Israel Confirms Hamas Fired NO Rockets|publisher=IkhwanWeb|date=13 January 2009|access-date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826200425/http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=19041|archive-date=26 August 2014|url-status=live}} Israel's obligation was to cease attacks on Gaza and once the ceasefire held, to gradually begin to ease its punishing blockade of Gaza. The agreement called on Israel to increase the level of goods entering Gaza by 30 percent over the pre-lull period within 72 hours and to open all border crossings and "allow the transfer of all goods that were banned and restricted to go into Gaza" within 13 days after the beginning of the ceasefire.{{cite web|url=http://www.ipsnews.net/2009/01/mideast-israel-rejected-hamas-ceasefire-offer-in-december/|title=Israel Rejected Hamas Ceasefire Offer in December|author=Gareth Porter|publisher=Inter Press Service News Agency|date=9 January 2009|access-date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826191035/http://www.ipsnews.net/2009/01/mideast-israel-rejected-hamas-ceasefire-offer-in-december/|archive-date=26 August 2014|url-status=live}}{{better source needed|date=September 2014}} The increase in supplies of food, water, medicine and fuel did improve, but the increase was only to an average of about 20 percent of normal levels,{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/07/AR2009010702645.html|title=An Unnecessary War|author=Jimmy Carter|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=8 January 2009|access-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911052630/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/07/AR2009010702645.html|archive-date=11 September 2017|url-status=live}} compared to the Hamas compliance in reducing rocket fire by 98%. Two months later the volume of goods arriving was too low to significantly improve living conditions,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7570605.stm|title=Truce barely eases Gaza embargo|author=Aleem Maqbool|work=BBC News|date=19 August 2008|access-date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128115531/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7570605.stm|archive-date=28 January 2015|url-status=live}} preventing UNRWA from replenishing its stores.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xuQstngyHdEC&pg=PT175|title=Hopes and Prospects|author=Noam Chomsky|edition=Hardcover|publisher=Penguin Group|year=2011|isbn=978-0-241-14476-3|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123112516/https://books.google.com/books?id=xuQstngyHdEC&pg=PT175&lpg=PT175&dq|archive-date=23 January 2016|url-status=live}} Israel told U.S. officials in 2008 it would keep Gaza's economy "on the brink of collapse".{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/wikileaks-israel-aimed-to-keep-gaza-economy-on-brink-of-collapse-1.335354|title=WikiLeaks: Israel aimed to keep Gaza economy on brink of collapse|agency=Reuters|newspaper=Haaretz|date=5 January 2011|access-date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827025718/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/wikileaks-israel-aimed-to-keep-gaza-economy-on-brink-of-collapse-1.335354|archive-date=27 August 2014|url-status=live}}

{{more citations needed section|date=November 2014}}

File:Grad Beersheba.jpg

On 4 November 2008 Israel broke the ceasefire with an attack on Gaza. The Israeli military claimed the target of the raid was a tunnel that they said Hamas was planning to use to capture Israeli soldiers positioned on the border fence 250m away.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/nov/05/israelandthepalestinians|title=Gaza truce broken as Israeli raid kills six Hamas gunmen|author=Rory McCarthy|work=The Guardian|date=5 November 2008|access-date=14 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106161636/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/nov/05/israelandthepalestinians|archive-date=6 January 2018|url-status=live}} Hamas officials differed, however, claiming that the tunnel was being dug for defensive purposes, not to capture IDF personnel, according to Dr Robert Pastor (of the Carter Institute), and an IDF official confirmed that fact to him. Hamas replied to the Israeli attack with a barrage of rocket fire. With this incursion into Gaza territory and its non-compliance with the easing of the embargo, Israel had failed to comply with two aspects of the June 2008 ceasefire.

When the six-month truce officially expired on 19 December, Hamas launched 50 to more than 70 rockets and mortars into Israel over the next three days, though no Israelis were injured.{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/12/24/Rockets_from_Gaza_bombard_Israeli_area/UPI-97171230119628/|title=Rockets from Gaza bombard Israeli area|publisher=UPI|access-date=27 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605050841/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/12/24/Rockets_from_Gaza_bombard_Israeli_area/UPI-97171230119628/|archive-date=5 June 2011|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7797144.stm|title=Hamas 'might renew truce' in Gaza|date=23 December 2008|access-date=27 December 2008|work=BBC News|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226034557/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7797144.stm|archive-date=26 December 2008|url-status=live}} On 21 December, Hamas said it was ready to stop the attacks and renew the truce if Israel stopped its "aggression" in Gaza and opened up its border crossings.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1868829,00.html?iid=tsmodule |title=Why Israel Attacked |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617115555/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1868829,00.html?iid=tsmodule |archive-date=17 June 2013 |magazine=Time |date=27 December 2008}} On 27 and 28 December, Israel implemented Operation Cast Lead against Hamas. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said "We warned Hamas repeatedly that rejecting the truce would push Israel to aggression against Gaza."[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/dec/29/israelandthepalestinians-middleeast Civilian death toll rises after second day of air strikes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704205517/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/dec/29/israelandthepalestinians-middleeast |date=4 July 2017 }} The Guardian (UK), 29 December 2008

{{Main|Gaza War (2008–2009)}}

File:War in Gaza 096 - Flickr - Al Jazeera English.jpg

The Gaza War{{cite web|url=http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/090202_gaza_war.pdf|title=Anthony H. Cordesman, 'THE "GAZA WAR": A Strategic Analysis,' Center for Strategic & International Studies, February 2009 p.5|access-date=17 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418165547/http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/090202_gaza_war.pdf|archive-date=18 April 2009|url-status=live}} started when Israel launched a large military campaign in the Gaza Strip on 27 December 2008, codenamed Operation "Cast Lead" ({{langx|he|מבצע עופרת יצוקה}}),{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050405.html |title=ANALYSIS / IAF strike on Gaza is Israel's version of 'shock and awe' |last=Harel |first=Amos |date=27 December 2008 |work=Ha'aretz |access-date=27 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228110302/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050405.html |archive-date=28 December 2008 |url-status=live }} with the stated aim of stopping Hamas rocket attacks on southern Israel and arms smuggling into Gaza.{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioi_0jtO9RjMwPNRoXNCndRPRq3gD97HIU0O0 |title=Gaza boat explodes in apparent attack, no injuries |last=Weizman |first=Steve |date=13 April 2009 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=25 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416214105/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioi_0jtO9RjMwPNRoXNCndRPRq3gD97HIU0O0 |archive-date=16 April 2009 }}[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 "Israel strikes back against Hamas terror infrastructure in Gaza 27-Dec-2008."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122051020/http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-%2BObstacle%2Bto%2BPeace/Hamas%2Bwar%2Bagainst%2BIsrael/Israel_strikes_back_against_Hamas_terror_infrastructure_Gaza_27-Dec-2008.htm |date=22 January 2009 }} Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 21 January 2009. 2 February 2009. The conflict has also been called the Gaza massacre in the Arab world ({{langx|ar|مجزرة غزة}}).{{cite news |title=Factions refuse Abbas' call for unity meeting amid Gaza massacre |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5djtfP92i?url=http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/62543/factions-refuse-abbas-39-call-for-unity-meeting-amid-gaza-massacre.html |url=http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/62543/factions-refuse-abbas-39-call-for-unity-meeting-amid-gaza-massacre.html |archive-date=11 January 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=17 May 2009 }}

• {{cite news |title=Iraqi leaders discuss Gaza massacre |url=http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Iraq/10270761.html |date=28 December 2008 |access-date=8 January 2009 |newspaper=gulfnews.com |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5dfW1C8nU?url=http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Iraq/10270761.html |archive-date=8 January 2009 |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite news |quote=Hamas slammed the 'silent and still Arab position on Gaza massacre' |title=Israel airstrikes on Gaza kill at least 225 |url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2008/December/middleeast_December507.xml§ion=middleeast |agency=Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) |work=Khaleej Times |date=27 December 2008 |access-date=11 January 2009 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5eULZTBGU?url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data%2Fmiddleeast%2F2008%2FDecember%2Fmiddleeast_December507.xml§ion=middleeast |archive-date=10 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite news |quote=Hamas spokesman: "it's impossible to contain the Arab and Islamic world after the Gaza massacre" |title=Hamas denies firing rockets from Lebanon |url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1004526/Hamas-denies-firing-rockets-from-Lebanon |agency=Agence France-Presse |publisher=Special Broadcasting Service |date=8 January 2009 |access-date=11 January 2009 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5djdLfR31?url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1004526/Hamas-denies-firing-rockets-from-Lebanon |archive-date=11 January 2009 |url-status=dead }}
• "Diplomatic race to stop the Gaza massacre" – {{cite news |title=سباق دبلوماسي لوقف مذبحة غزة |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/arabic/middle_east_news/newsid_7810000/7810968.stm |date=5 January 2009 |access-date=11 January 2009 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5djZbRLwy?url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/arabic/middle_east_news/newsid_7810000/7810968.stm |archive-date=11 January 2009 |work=BBC News |url-status=dead }}
• "Victims of the Gaza massacre of nearly 3,000 in the ninth day of the aggression" – {{cite news |title=ضحايا مجزرة غزة يقارب الـ3 آلاف في اليوم التاسع للعدوان |url=http://www.moheet.com/show_files.aspx?fid=207760 |date=4 January 2009 |access-date=8 February 2009 |agency=Arab News Network (Moheet) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723132332/http://www.moheet.com/show_files.aspx?fid=207760 |archive-date=23 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}
• "Gaza massacre roused anti-Semitism in Europe" – {{cite news |title=مجزرة غزة أيقظت اللاسامية في أوروبا |url=http://www.daralhayat.com/opinion/02-2009/Article-20090206-4c6b5e3b-c0a8-10ed-016d-304693d69d55/story.html |date=7 February 2009 |access-date=8 February 2009 |agency=Dar al hayat |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5eQJS6P5i?url=http://www.daralhayat.com/opinion/02-2009/Article-20090206-4c6b5e3b-c0a8-10ed-016d-304693d69d55/story.html |archive-date=7 February 2009 |url-status=usurped }} A fragile six-month truce between Hamas and Israel expired on 19 December 2008.{{cite news |title=Timeline – Israeli-Hamas violence since truce ended |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKTRE50423320090105 |work=Reuters |date=5 January 2009 |access-date=17 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118161927/http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKTRE50423320090105 |archive-date=18 January 2009 |url-status=dead }} The Israeli operation began with an intense bombardment of the Gaza Strip,{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5407382.ece |work=The Times |location=London |title=Israel Gaza blitz kills 290 as ground troops mobilise |first1=David |last1=Byers |first2=James |last2=Hider |date=28 December 2008 |access-date=3 May 2010}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} targeting Hamas bases, police training camps,[http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/12/27/africa/28mideast_update.php Israeli Gaza strike kills more than 200] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212075034/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/12/27/africa/28mideast_update.php |date=12 February 2009 }}, International Herald Tribune, 27 December 2008. police headquarters and offices.{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050432.html |title=Most Hamas bases destroyed in 4 minutes |author=Amos Harel |work=Ha'aretz |access-date=28 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230105603/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050432.html |archive-date=30 December 2008 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230111714969&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull |title=A year's intel gathering yields 'alpha hits' |author=Yaakov Katz |work=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=28 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111114903/http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230111714969&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |archive-date=11 January 2012 }} Civilian infrastructure, including mosques, houses, medical facilities and schools, were also attacked, as Israel stated that many of them were used by combatants, and as storage spaces for weapons and rockets.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jan/02/israel-gaza-attacks |title=Israeli warplanes destroy Gaza houses and mosque as air strikes continue |last=McCarthy |first=Rory |author2=David Batty and agencies |date=2 January 2009 |work=The Guardian |access-date=5 January 2009 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905172617/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jan/02/israel-gaza-attacks |archive-date=5 September 2013 |url-status=live }} Hamas intensified its rocket and mortar attacks against targets in Israel throughout the conflict, hitting previously untargeted cities such as Beersheba and Ashdod.{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3645485,00.html |title=Rockets land east of Ashdod |date=28 December 2008 |work=Ynetnews |access-date=28 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204064937/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3645485,00.html |archive-date=4 February 2009}}{{cite news |title=Rockets reach Beersheba, cause damage |newspaper=Ynetnews |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3647569,00.html |publisher=YNET |date=30 December 2008 |access-date=17 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231124200/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3647569,00.html |archive-date=31 December 2008 |url-status=live |last1=Curiel |first1=Ilana }} On 3 January 2009, the Israeli ground invasion began.{{cite news |title=Israel invades Gaza in attempt to destroy Hamas |author=Butcher, T. |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/palestinianauthority/4093083/Israel-invades-Gaza-in-attempt-to-destroy-Hamas.html |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=3 January 2009 |access-date=7 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402054659/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/palestinianauthority/4093083/Israel-invades-Gaza-in-attempt-to-destroy-Hamas.html |archive-date=2 April 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Israeli ground troops invade Gaza to halt rockets |last1=Barzak |first1=I. |last2=Keyser |first2=J. |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/03/israel-blasts-hamas-targe_n_154942.html |newspaper=Huffington Post |date=3 January 2009 |access-date=7 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705171507/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/03/israel-blasts-hamas-targe_n_154942.html |archive-date=5 July 2013 |url-status=live }} During the war Hamas would execute many Palestinians and Fatah members during a period of political violence. Human rights groups and aid organisations have accused Hamas and Israel of war crimes.{{cite news |title=Gaza 'human shields' criticised |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7818122.stm |work=BBC News |date=8 January 2009 |access-date=4 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217005332/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7818122.stm |archive-date=17 February 2009 |url-status=live }}[http://www.btselem.org/english/Press_Releases/20070625.asp "Holding Gilad Shalit as a hostage is a war crime"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123152848/http://www.btselem.org/english/Press_Releases/20070625.asp |date=23 January 2009 }} – B'Tselem press release, issued 25 June 2007{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jan/13/gaza-israel-war-crimes |title=Demands grow for Gaza war crimes investigation because of events such as the use of white phosphorus to bomb a UN school as collateral damage to the alleged terrorists operating next to it. |last=McGreal |first=Chris |date=23 January 2009 |work=The Guardian |access-date=23 January 2009 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905174102/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jan/13/gaza-israel-war-crimes |archive-date=5 September 2013 |url-status=live }} An estimated 1,166–1,417 Palestinians and 13 Israelis died in the conflict.[http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre5053r7-us-palestinians-israel/ Israel tightens grip on urban parts of Gaza] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109194300/http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre5053r7-us-palestinians-israel/ |date=9 January 2009 }}. By Nidal al-Mughrabi. 12 January 2009. Reuters.{{cite news|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1237727552054&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull |title=IDF releases Cast Lead casualty numbers |date=26 March 2009 |publisher=JPost |access-date=26 March 2009 |last=Lappin |first=Yaakov |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511121653/http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1237727552054&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |archive-date=11 May 2011 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rights-group-puts-gaza-death-toll-at-1284/ |title=Rights Group Puts Gaza Death Toll At 1,284 |last=Younis |first=Khan |publisher=CBS |access-date=17 February 2009 |date=22 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125220045/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/22/world/main4746224.shtml?source=RSSattr=World_4746224 |archive-date=25 January 2009 |url-status=live }} The conflict came to an end on 18 January after first Israel and then Hamas announced unilateral ceasefires.{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/18/israel.gaza/index.html |title=Hamas, Israel set independent cease-fires |work=CNN International |date=18 January 2009 |access-date=3 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902071535/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/18/israel.gaza/index.html |archive-date=2 September 2010 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Israel wants rapid Gaza pullout |publisher=BBC |date=18 January 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7836660.stm |access-date=4 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090128132800/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7836660.stm |archive-date=28 January 2009 |url-status=live }} On 21 January, Israel completed its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7841902.stm |work=BBC News |title=Last Israeli troops 'leave Gaza' |date=21 January 2009 |access-date=3 May 2010 |archive-date=27 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927212647/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7841902.stm |url-status=live }} On 2 March, it was reported that international donors had pledged $4.5 billion in aid for the Palestinians, mainly for rebuilding Gaza after Israel's offensive.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7918105.stm |title=Billions pledged to rebuild Gaza |date=2 March 2009 |work=BBC News |access-date=4 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303054111/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7918105.stm |archive-date=3 March 2009 |url-status=live }} This war was considered to be the largest, most devastating and deadliest military operation in Gaza since the Six-day war in 1967 and until the Gaza war.[http://www.map-uk.org/news/media-room/witness.aspx MAP – Witness] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306075708/http://www.map-uk.org/news/media-room/witness.aspx |date=6 March 2014 }} "It's been five years since 'Operation Cast Lead' and the people of Gaza continue to suffer from the most destructive Israeli assault since the Six Day War".

{{further|March 2010 Israel–Gaza clashes}}

On 26 March 2010, two Israeli soldiers and two Hamas militants were killed during clashes on the Gaza Strip's southern border. Two other soldiers were wounded during the fighting which broke out east of the town of Khan Younis. They are the first Israeli soldiers to have been killed in hostile fire in or around Gaza since Israel's major offensive there in January 2009, according to the BBC.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8589529.stm |work=BBC News |title=Gaza militants kill Israel troops |date=26 March 2010 |access-date=16 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329170447/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8589529.stm |archive-date=29 March 2010 |url-status=live }}

File:Terror Strikes Israeli Civilians in Southern Israel.jpg

{{main|2011 southern Israel cross-border attacks}}

On 18 August 2011, a series of cross-border attacks was carried out in southern Israel near the Egyptian border, by a squad of militants. The militants first opened fire at civilian bus.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/08/18/israel.shooting/ |title=Israeli airstrikes target Gaza after multiple attacks |newspaper=CNN |date=19 August 2011 |access-date=20 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110152727/http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/08/18/israel.shooting/ |archive-date=10 November 2012 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/08/201181893519247218.html |title=Israel launches strikes on Gaza after attacks |newspaper=Al Jazeera |date=19 August 2011 |access-date=21 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818191545/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/08/201181893519247218.html |archive-date=18 August 2011 |url-status=live }} Several minutes later, a bomb was detonated next to an Israeli army patrol along Israel's border with Egypt. In a third attack, an anti-tank missile hit a private vehicle, killing four civilians.

{{main|March 2012 Gaza–Israel clashes}}

File:DestrAlDaluHouse.jpg

During the second week of March 2012, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) initiated Operation "Returning Echo". It was the worst outbreak of violence covered by the media in the region since the 2008–09 Operation "Cast Lead" (the Gaza War).

{{main|2012 Gaza War}}

File:US Ambassador to Israel Shapiro Visit to Attack Tunnel.webm's tour of attack tunnel.]]

File:Rocket Attacks fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip by year.png from the Gaza Strip, 2001–2021.{{cite journal|last1=Pinfold|first1=Rob Geist|year=2023|title=Security, Terrorism, and Territorial Withdrawal: Critically Reassessing the Lessons of Israel's "Unilateral Disengagement" from the Gaza Strip|url=https://academic.oup.com/isp/article/24/1/67/6762979|journal=International Studies Perspectives|volume=24|issue=1|pages=67–87|doi=10.1093/isp/ekac013|institution=King’s College London, UK and Charles University, Czech Republic|doi-access=free|access-date=24 October 2023|archive-date=17 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017014412/https://academic.oup.com/isp/article/24/1/67/6762979|url-status=live}}

]]

Attacks by Israel and Gazans grew intense late in October 2012. An Israeli air strike killed Ahmed Jabari, chief of the Hamas military wing in Gaza.MATTHEW KALMAN, [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/massed-israeli-troops-poised-for-invasion-of-gaza-8316615.html "Massed Israeli troops poised for invasion of Gaza"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012064035/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/massed-israeli-troops-poised-for-invasion-of-gaza-8316615.html |date=12 October 2017 }}, The Independent, Retrieved 15 November 2012 During the operation, four Israeli civilians and one soldier were killed by Palestinian rocket fire,[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1238511/1/.htm "Gaza and Israel begin to resume normal life after truce"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130119003200/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1238511/1/.htm |date=19 January 2013 }}, BBC news. Retrieved 22 November 2012. according to Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 158 Palestinians had been killed, of which: 102 were civilians, 55 militants and one was policeman. 30 children and 13 women were among the killed,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20444499|title=BBC News – Gaza and Israel begin to resume normal life after truce|work=BBC News|date=22 November 2012|access-date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128084157/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20444499|archive-date=28 November 2012|url-status=live}} while the Israel Defense Forces presented statistics showing that out of 177 Palestinians killed, 120 were militants.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/several-casualties-in-explosion-in-central-tel-aviv/|title=After eight days of fighting, ceasefire is put to the test|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108194500/http://www.timesofisrael.com/several-casualties-in-explosion-in-central-tel-aviv/|archive-date=8 November 2014|url-status=live}} Most of the fighting was by bombs, aerial attacks, artillery, and rockets; the rockets being primarily used by the Palestinians and air strikes primarily by the Israelis. Attacked locations include Beersheva, Tel Aviv, Ashdod, Ofakim, Gaza, the rest of the Gaza Strip, the Shaar Hanegev, and Eshkol Regional Council. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and other Western countries expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself, and/or{{clarify|date=November 2012}} condemned the Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel.{{cite news |last=Lazaroff |first=Tovah |url=http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=292162 |title=Ashton, Merkel say Israel has right to defend itself |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=16 November 2012 |access-date=26 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121125013151/http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=292162 |archive-date=25 November 2012 |url-status=live }}{{cite press release |title=Gaza Rocket Attacks |location=US |publisher=Department of State |date=14 November 2012 |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/11/200551.htm |access-date=14 November 2012 |archive-date=30 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630145600/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/11/200551.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/palestinians-israel-idUSL5E8MF10320121115 |title=UPDATE 8-Rockets hits near Tel Aviv as Gaza death toll rises |work=Reuters |date=14 November 2012 |access-date=18 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117183223/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/15/palestinians-israel-idUSL5E8MF10320121115 |archive-date=17 November 2012 |url-status=live }}{{cite press release |title=Gillard condemns attacks on Israel |location=AU |date=16 November 2012 |first=Bianca |last=Hall |url=http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/gillard-condemns-attacks-on-israel-20121116-29fx8.html |access-date=16 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118081303/http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/gillard-condemns-attacks-on-israel-20121116-29fx8.html |archive-date=18 November 2012 |url-status=live }}{{cite journal|url=http://m.euractiv.com/details.php?aid=516096 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606104652/http://m.euractiv.com/details.php?aid=516096 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 June 2013 |language=fr |title=Les ministres européens mettent en garde Israël quant à l'escalade de la violence à Gaza |trans-title=European ministers warn Israel about escalade of violence in Gaza |publisher=EurActiv |date=16 November 2012 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.mfa.government.bg/en/events/73/4/539/index.html |title=Foreign minister Nikolay Mladenov commenting on the situation in southern Israel and the Gaza Strip |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bulgaria) |date=15 November 2012 |access-date=16 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227113145/http://www.mfa.government.bg/en/events/73/4/539/index.html |archive-date=27 December 2012 |url-status=live }}{{cite press release |title=Canada Condemns Hamas and Stands with Israel |publisher=Foreign Affairs and International Trade |location=CA |date=14 November 2012 |url=http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2012/11/14a.aspx?lang=eng&view=d |access-date=15 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330224945/http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2012/11/14a.aspx?lang=eng&view=d |archive-date=30 March 2013 |url-status=live }}[http://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/issues_and_press/statements/x2012_11_15_prohlaseni_mzv_cr_k_aktualnimu_vyvoji_situace_v_izraeli_a_pasmu_gazy.html Statement of MFA on Israel and the Gaza Strip] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523074243/http://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/issues_and_press/statements/x2012_11_15_prohlaseni_mzv_cr_k_aktualnimu_vyvoji_situace_v_izraeli_a_pasmu_gazy.html |date=23 May 2013 }}, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic 15 November 2012{{cite journal |location=LB |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Nov-15/195155-russia-condemns-disproportionate-strikes-on-gaza.ashx#axzz2CJLCPknc |title=Russia condemns 'disproportionate' strikes on Gaza |journal=The Daily Star |date=15 November 2012 |access-date=15 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115160934/http://dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Nov-15/195155-russia-condemns-disproportionate-strikes-on-gaza.ashx#axzz2CJLCPknc |archive-date=15 November 2012 |url-status=live }} Iran, Egypt, Turkey, North Korea and several other Arab and Muslim countries condemned the Israeli operation.{{cite web |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/466271/at-the-un-pakistan-slams-israels-offensive-in-gaza/ |title=At the UN, Pakistan slams Israel's offensive in Gaza |work=The Express Tribune |location=PK |date=15 November 2012 |access-date=16 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119060004/http://tribune.com.pk/story/466271/at-the-un-pakistan-slams-israels-offensive-in-gaza/ |archive-date=19 November 2012 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=15 November 2012 |url=http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/533367 |title=Morocco Strongly Condemns Israeli Raids on Gaza |agency=Bahrain News Agency |place=Rabat, BH |access-date=15 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017104211/http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/533367 |archive-date=17 October 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=15 November 2012 |url=http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=456924 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228204631/http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=456924 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 February 2021 |title=Lebanese president: Israeli attack on Gaza obstructs peace |publisher=NOW Lebanon |access-date=15 November 2012}}

{{main|2014 Gaza War|Battle of Shuja'iyya (2014)|2014 Israeli shelling of UNRWA Gaza shelters}}

File:Operation Protective Edge (14481235829).jpg

In 2014, fighting intensified between Israel and Hamas, leading to another full-scale Gaza War, this one far deadlier than the previous in 2008–2009. The IDF launched Operation Protective Edge on 8 July 2014, in response to Hamas rocket attacks,{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/idfs-operation-protective-edge-begins-against-gaza/2014/07/08/ | title=IDF's Operation "Protective Edge" Begins Against Gaza | date=8 July 2014 | publisher=JewishPress | access-date=8 July 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710004714/http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/idfs-operation-protective-edge-begins-against-gaza/2014/07/08/ | archive-date=10 July 2014 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }} which were launched following an earlier Israeli air strike against Gaza{{cite web | url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-fired-rockets-for-first-time-since-2012-israeli-officials-say/ | title=Hamas fires rockets for first time since 2012, Israeli officials say |work=The Times of Israel | access-date=25 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712132943/http://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-fired-rockets-for-first-time-since-2012-israeli-officials-say/ | archive-date=12 July 2015 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }} and on 17 July 2014, Israel troops entered the Gaza Strip.{{cite news|title=Israeli army marches on Gaza|url=http://www.israelherald.com/index.php/sid/223870395/scat/f81a4d9d561822ee/ht/Israeli-army-marches-on-Gaza|access-date=18 July 2014|publisher=Israel Herald|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725182336/http://www.israelherald.com/index.php/sid/223870395/scat/f81a4d9d561822ee/ht/Israeli-army-marches-on-Gaza|archive-date=25 July 2014|url-status=dead}} UN OCHA says 2,205 Palestinians (including at least 1,483 civilians) and 71 Israelis (including 66 soldiers) and one foreign national in Israel were killed in the conflict.{{cite web|url=http://www.ochaopt.org/content.aspx?id=1010361 |title=Occupied Palestinian territory, Gaza Crisis |work=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |date=15 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725191044/http://www.ochaopt.org/content.aspx?id=1010361 |archive-date=25 July 2015}} The war came to an end after 50 days of conflict when a ceasefire was agreed upon on 26 August 2014.{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/26/gaza-ceasefire-israel-palestinians-halt-fighting | title=Gaza ceasefire: Israel and Palestinians agree to halt weeks of fighting | date=27 August 2014 | publisher=TheGuardian | access-date=10 November 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613215443/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/26/gaza-ceasefire-israel-palestinians-halt-fighting | archive-date=13 June 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}

{{main|2018 Gaza border protests}}

During the 2018 Land Day protests, 168 Palestinians have been killed and thousands were injured during clashes with Israeli troops at the Gaza-Israel border.[http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=780688 'Palestinian succumbs to wounds, Gaza death toll rises to 168,'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030080443/http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=780688 |date=30 October 2018 }}, Ma'an News Agency 13 August 2018.

{{main|Gaza–Israel clashes (November 2018)}}

Violence flared up again on 11 November 2018 when seven Palestinian militants were killed during a botched raid by the Israel Defense Forces in the southeastern Gaza Strip. One IDF officer was killed and another was injured. Over a dozen rockets were subsequently fired from Gaza, three of which were shot down. After a series of intense fire exchanges, ceasefire was agreed upon on 13 November 2018.

On 25 March, seven people were injured in Israel after a rocket attack destroyed a home in Mishmeret. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that Hamas was responsible for the attack.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47689684|title=Seven hurt as Gaza rocket hits Israeli home|work=BBC News|date=25 March 2019|access-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326011852/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47689684|archive-date=26 March 2019|url-status=live}}

The Israeli Air Force sent jets to strike multiple targets in the Gaza Strip, including the office of senior Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh, and Hamas' military intelligence headquarters in Gaza City.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palsetinians-violence-haniyeh/israel-air-strike-targets-office-of-hamas-leader-in-gaza-hamas-radio-idUSKCN1R62BJ)]{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/israeli-military-begins-striking-hamas-targets-gaza-190325152429228.html|title=Israeli military strikes Hamas targets in Gaza|website=aljazeera.com|access-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325190050/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/israeli-military-begins-striking-hamas-targets-gaza-190325152429228.html|archive-date=25 March 2019|url-status=live}}

{{main|May 2019 Gaza-Israel clashes}}

On 3 May, two Israeli soldiers were injured by a Palestinian Islamic Jihad sniper from in the Gaza Strip during the weekly protests at the Gaza–Israel border. In response, the Israeli Air Force carried out an airstrike, killing four Palestinians. In addition, two other Palestinians were killed and 60 wounded, 36 of them by Israeli gunfire.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-nabs-gazan-armed-with-knife-who-breached-border-fence-into-israel/|title=Two soldiers wounded by gunfire on Gaza border; IDF hits Hamas post, killing 2|last=Magid|first=Jacob|website=The Times of Israel |access-date=6 May 2019|archive-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510072346/https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-nabs-gazan-armed-with-knife-who-breached-border-fence-into-israel/|url-status=live}}

Following this, Gazan militants launched hundreds of rockets at Israel. In response, the Israeli Air Force struck numerous targets within the Gaza Strip. In addition, Israel increased its troop presence near the Gaza–Israel border.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/04/world/middleeast/gaza-rockets-israel.html|title=Gaza Militants Fire 250 Rockets, and Israel Responds With Airstrikes|first=Isabel|last=Kershner|newspaper=The New York Times|date=4 May 2019|access-date=6 May 2019|archive-date=9 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509063222/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/04/world/middleeast/gaza-rockets-israel.html|url-status=live}}

{{main|Gaza–Israel clashes (November 2019)}}

The 2019 Gaza–Israel clashes code-named by Israel as Operation Black Belt, took place in November 2019, between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) following the targeted killing of senior PIJ commander Baha Abu al-Ata in Gaza, and the attempted killing of senior PIJ commander Akram al-Ajouri in Damascus, Syria by the IDF. PIJ responded with rocket fire into Israel, including long-range rockets fired towards Tel Aviv, leading to several civilians being wounded. In response to the rocket fire, Israel carried out airstrikes and artillery shelling in the Gaza Strip, killing and wounding several militants as well as civilians. A ceasefire went into effect after 48 hours of clashes,though it was breached by some Palestinian militants.{{Cite web |last=Gross |first=Judah Ari |title=IDF girds for several days of fighting |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-girds-for-several-days-of-fighting-after-some-150-rockets-fired-at-israel/ |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |date=12 November 2019 |archive-date=23 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423035206/https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-girds-for-several-days-of-fighting-after-some-150-rockets-fired-at-israel/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Israel |first=David |date=14 November 2019 |title=Operation Black Belt Hit All Its Targets; Bennett: It's Not Over, We'll Keep Hitting |url=https://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/hamas/operation-black-belt-hit-all-its-targets-bennett-its-not-over-well-keep-hitting/2019/11/14/ |access-date=7 October 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422215044/https://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/hamas/operation-black-belt-hit-all-its-targets-bennett-its-not-over-well-keep-hitting/2019/11/14/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Fragile ceasefire holds in Gaza amid reports of fire exchange |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/14/fragile-ceasefire-holds-in-gaza-amid-reports-of-fire-exchange |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=14 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214153701/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/14/fragile-ceasefire-holds-in-gaza-amid-reports-of-fire-exchange |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Gross |first=Judah Ari |title=IDF launches fresh strikes in Gaza in response to rocket attacks |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-launches-fresh-strikes-in-gaza-in-response-to-rocket-attacks/ |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=2 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602231141/https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-launches-fresh-strikes-in-gaza-in-response-to-rocket-attacks/ |url-status=live }}

On 15 April, Israeli military conducted military strikes targets in Gaza after a rocket was fired at southern Israel. Targets included an armaments production facility, a tunnel for smuggling weaponry and a Hamas military post.{{Cite web|last1=Alex|last2=Fulbright|first2=er|last3=Gross|first3=Judah Ari|title=Israel strikes Hamas targets after Gaza rocket fire|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-strikes-hamas-targets-after-gaza-rocket-fire/|access-date=16 April 2021|website=The Times of Israel |archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416031717/https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-strikes-hamas-targets-after-gaza-rocket-fire/|url-status=live}}

{{Main|2021 Israel–Palestine crisis}}

Hamas demanded Israel remove its forces from Al-Aqsa Mosque by 10 May at 6 p.m. Minutes after the deadline passed, Hamas fired more than 150 rockets into Israel from Gaza.{{Cite news|last1=Schwartz|first1=Felicia|last2=Lieber|first2=Dov|date=10 May 2021|title=Israel Strikes Hamas Targets After Rockets Fired at Jerusalem|language=en-US|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/israeli-military-says-rockets-fired-from-gaza-toward-jerusalem-11620646448|issn=0099-9660|access-date=12 May 2021|archive-date=13 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513014000/https://www.wsj.com/articles/israeli-military-says-rockets-fired-from-gaza-toward-jerusalem-11620646448|url-status=live}} In response, Israel launched air strikes in the Gaza strip on the same day.{{cite news |title=Palestinians say 21 killed as Israeli air raids on Gaza continue |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/10/israeli-forces-raid-al-aqsa-compound-live |work=Al-Jazeera |date=10 May 2021 |access-date=12 May 2021 |archive-date=10 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510064341/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/10/israeli-forces-raid-al-aqsa-compound-live |url-status=live }}

{{Main|2022 Gaza–Israel clashes}}

On 5 August 2022, Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza after a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant had been arrested in the West Bank 4 days earlier, due to fears of retaliation.{{Cite news |date=5 August 2022 |title=Israel kills Islamic Jihad army chief in Gaza as IDF declares operation 'Breaking Dawn' |language=en |work=Ynetnews |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1mtes5p5 |access-date=7 August 2022 |archive-date=5 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805150650/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1mtes5p5 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|2023 Al-Aqsa clashes}}In the aftermath of the 2023 Al-Aqsa clashes, Palestinian militant groups{{Cite web |last=Salman |first=Abeer |last2=Tawfeeq |first2=Mohammed |last3=Hauser |first3=Jennifer |date=5 April 2023 |title=Israeli police storm al-Aqsa mosque for the second time on Wednesday |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/05/middleeast/israel-al-aqsa-mosque-clash-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405060910/https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/05/middleeast/israel-al-aqsa-mosque-clash-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }} fired rockets into Israel from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

{{Main|May 2023 Gaza–Israel clashes}}On 9 May 2023, Israel conducted a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, called Operation Shield and Arrow Palestinians launched Rocket attacks against Israel until a Ceasefire was agreed upon on 13 May 2023.{{Cite news |last1=Al-Mughrabi |first1=Nidal |last2=Lubell |first2=Maayan |last3=Al-Mughrabi |first3=Nidal |date=14 May 2023 |title=Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad agree Gaza truce |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-strikes-gaza-palestinians-fire-rockets-truce-bid-lingers-2023-05-13/ |access-date=7 October 2023 |archive-date=24 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524153547/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-strikes-gaza-palestinians-fire-rockets-truce-bid-lingers-2023-05-13/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Gaza war}}

File:October 2023 Gaza−Israel conflict.svg

On 7 October 2023, Palestinian militant groups, mainly Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, with other groups such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, launched a major attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip. The attack included rocket barrages and vehicle-transported attacks across the border on Israeli communities and forces, causing many casualties; a thousand civilians were massacred. In response, the government of Israel declared a state of emergency and war; The Israeli military retaliated by conducting a counteroffensive and an extensive aerial bombardment campaign on Gaza followed by an invasion.{{Cite web |title=Live updates: Israel says it is 'at war' after Hamas surprise attack |url=https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/al-aqsa-storm-militants-infiltrate-israel-after-gaza-rockets-10-07-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=CNN |date=7 October 2023 |language=en |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007221148/https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/al-aqsa-storm-militants-infiltrate-israel-after-gaza-rockets-10-07-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=McKernan |first=Bethan |date=7 October 2023 |title=Israel and Hamas at war after surprise attacks from Gaza Strip |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/07/hamas-launches-surprise-attack-on-israel-as-palestinian-gunmen-reported-in-south |access-date=7 October 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007101214/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/07/hamas-launches-surprise-attack-on-israel-as-palestinian-gunmen-reported-in-south |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |title=IDF declares 'state of readiness for war' amid Hamas infiltrations, rocket barrages |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-declares-state-of-readiness-for-war-amid-hamas-infiltrations-rocket-barrages/ |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007052037/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-declares-state-of-readiness-for-war-amid-hamas-infiltrations-rocket-barrages/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Ynet |date=7 October 2023 |title=Dozens killed, abducted as Israel comes under surprise Hamas attack |language=en |work=Ynetnews |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rysg8i0l6 |access-date=7 October 2023 |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007052803/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rysg8i0l6 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Federman |first1=Josef |last2=Adwan |first2=Issam |title=Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting, retaliation |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2 |access-date=8 October 2023 |work=AP News |date=7 October 2023 |language=en |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007073124/https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=George |first1=Susannah |last2=Dadouch |first2=Sarah |last3=Parker |first3=Claire |last4=Rubin |first4=Shira |date=9 October 2023 |title=Israel formally declares war against Hamas as more than 1,000 killed on both sides |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/08/israel-hamas-war-gaza/ |access-date=12 October 2023 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=8 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008185504/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/08/israel-hamas-war-gaza/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Kingsley |first1=Patrick |last2=Bergman |first2=Ronen |date=30 October 2023 |title=Under Shroud of Secrecy, Israel Invasion of Gaza Has Begun |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/30/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-invasion-secrecy.html |access-date=1 November 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=17 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117201136/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/30/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-invasion-secrecy.html |url-status=live }} This war is considered to be the largest, most devastating and deadliest conflict in Gaza since the Gaza War in 2008 and 2009 and the deadliest war in Israel since the 1948 Arab–Israeli War of 1948 and 1949.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

; {{flagicon|United Nations}} United Nations :Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stated he believed that the Qassam rocket attacks by factions in Gaza were "completely unacceptable." He also said he believed that the Palestinian Authority should "take the necessary steps to restore law and order, and for all factions to abide by the ceasefire." Ban also stated he was "deeply concerned by the mounting number of civilian casualties from Israeli military operations in Gaza." The Secretary General also called on Israel "to abide by international law and to ensure that its actions do not target civilians or put them under risk.""[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3403193,00.html UN chief concerned about Palestinian, Israeli attacks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018035804/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3403193,00.html |date=18 October 2012 }}" Ban had appointed Michael Williams to the Middle East for talks with both sides."[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3403506,00.html Qassam lands near Sderot; no injuries] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007152343/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3403506,00.html |date=7 October 2012 }}" Williams soon said "I'm troubled when I see Israeli soldiers arresting Palestinian legislators. I'm troubled that the education minister was arrested," after Israel arrested several Hamas officials in the West Bank.{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3404081,00.html|title=UN 'troubled' by Hamas legislators' arrests|work=ynet|date=24 May 2007|access-date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219192639/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3404081,00.html|archive-date=19 December 2014|url-status=live|last1=Greenberg|first1=Hanan}} Williams met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Foreign Minister Ziad Abu Amr in Gaza City. After continuing Israeli attacks and arrests, and the continuing rocket fire from Gaza, Williams said that "I'm very troubled by the level of violence here [...] I think the UN, the international community in general, have been very concerned about the level of intra-Palestinian violence, but also by the Israeli attacks which I know have caused civilian deaths, considerable numbers."{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3404639,00.html|title=Special UN envoy to Mideast says he's 'very troubled' by Gaza violence|work=ynet|date=26 May 2007|access-date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219193145/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3404639,00.html|archive-date=19 December 2014|url-status=live}} Following the discovery of mass graves, UN human rights chief Volker Türk called for an independent investigation on the intentional killing of civilians by the IDF.{{Cite web |date=23 April 2024 |title=Mass graves in Gaza show victims' hands were tied, says UN rights office {{!}} UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148876 |access-date=23 April 2024 |website=news.un.org |language=en |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424005326/https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148876 |url-status=live }}

; {{flagicon|United States}} United States : After the death of a woman from a rocket attack in Sderot, a representative for the U.S. Government reaffirmed the position that Israel has the right to self-defense. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack also stated that his country is aware of the difficulty of targeting terrorists without civilian casualties. He added that Israel must "take all possible actions in order to avoid any civilian casualties, to avoid any undue damage to the Palestinian infrastructure and always to consider the effects of their actions on the political process, the Israeli-Palestinian track and moving that forward." The Republican plan, approved by the United States House of Representatives, allocates $14.5bn in military aid for Israel. Also, Israel has received the highest amount of military assistance from the US compared to any other nation since World War II, with aid exceeding $124bn.[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/3/us-house-passes-14-5bn-military-aid-package-for-israel US House passes $14.5bn military aid package for Israel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408142957/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/3/us-house-passes-14-5bn-military-aid-package-for-israel |date=8 April 2024 }} aljazeera.com Retrieved 4 November 2023

; {{flagicon|Turkey}} Turkey : In response to the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict, to the interdiction of the activity of the Moslem Brothers in Egypt and to what he interpreted as Egyptian support for Israel, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi an "illegitimate tyrant"."[https://news.yahoo.com/turkey-pm-erdogan-slams-egypts-illegitimate-tyrant-sisi-130905463.html Turkey PM slams Egypt's 'illegitimate tyrant' Sisi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004944/http://news.yahoo.com/turkey-pm-erdogan-slams-egypts-illegitimate-tyrant-sisi-130905463.html |date=5 March 2016 }}". Yahoo News. 18 July 2014. He also stated that "If Israel continues with this attitude, it will definitely be tried at international courts."{{cite news |title=Turkey's Erdogan says Israel should face trial over Gaza assault |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-gaza-turkey-idUSKBN0FT2BZ20140724 |date=24 July 2014 |work=Reuters |access-date=1 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924202945/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/24/us-mideast-gaza-turkey-idUSKBN0FT2BZ20140724 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live }}

; {{flagicon|Bolivia}} Bolivia:In July 2014, Bolivia declared Israel a "terrorist state", tightening visa restrictions for Israelis seeking to travel to Bolivia."[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/07/30/bolivia-israel-terrorist-state/13384989/ Bolivia declares Israel a 'terrorist state'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012063209/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/07/30/bolivia-israel-terrorist-state/13384989/ |date=12 October 2017 }}". USA Today. 1 August 2014. In 2019 relations were restored following a political crisis which saw the temporary ousting of the MAS-IPSP, with an Israeli delegation visiting Bolivia in 2020. Following the events of October 2023, the Bolivian government announced on 1 November that it was severing diplomatic ties with Israel.{{Cite news |last=Ramos |first=Daniel |date=1 November 2023 |title=Bolivia severs ties with Israel, others recall envoys over Gaza |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/bolivia-severs-diplomatic-ties-with-israel-citing-crimes-against-humanity-2023-10-31/ |access-date=1 November 2023 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031234549/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/bolivia-severs-diplomatic-ties-with-israel-citing-crimes-against-humanity-2023-10-31/ |url-status=live }} Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani called Israel's response "disproportionate" and President Luis Arce described the actions as "war crimes", with the Bolivians calling for an immediate ceasefire.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-67281584 |last=Radford |first=Antoinette |publisher=BBC News |date=2 November 2023 |accessdate=1 November 2023 |language=en-GB |title=Bolivia severs diplomatic ties with Israel over Gaza war |department=Latin America |archive-date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101045831/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-67281584 |url-status=live }}

; {{flagicon|Indonesia}} Indonesia:The Indonesian people and government were very concerned for Gaza during the conflict. They donated humanitarian aid and some volunteered to come to Gaza and work on the ground. Indonesia also built a hospital in Gaza named "Indonesia hospital", which opened in 2015."[http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/99225/president-jokowi-requested-to-inaugurate-gaza-hospital] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620051026/http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/99225/president-jokowi-requested-to-inaugurate-gaza-hospital|date=20 June 2015}}" Antara News. 17 June 2015. Its construction was not impacted during the fighting and remained on schedule. This hospital was bombed by Israel three years later.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/10/28/jokowi-condemns-gaza-missile-attack-that-damaged-indonesian-hospital.html|title=Jokowi condemns Gaza missile attack that damaged Indonesian hospital|website=The Jakarta Post|language=en|access-date=7 May 2019|archive-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507015821/https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/10/28/jokowi-condemns-gaza-missile-attack-that-damaged-indonesian-hospital.html|url-status=live}}

; {{flagicon|Egypt}} Egypt: The Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is not allowing a refugee camp on the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt because he says it would allow the Palestinians to launch terrorist attacks from there against Israel, and Egypt would get blamed for it. Egypt has closed their border from Gaza to Egypt but are allowing humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza from Egypt during the Gaza war.{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/4262152-egypt-rejects-palestinian-refugees-sinai-peninsula/|title=Egypt president rejects effort to move Palestinians to Sinai Peninsula|first=Nick|last=Robertson|date=18 October 2023}}

; {{flagicon|South Africa}} South Africa

File:Pro-Israel-Demo in Berlin 3.JPG in 2009. ]] File:Manif-Palestine-Sainté-12.07.2014-1.JPG, France in 2014]]

File:Palestine Rally End The Siege, Stop the War on Gaza (53264976459).jpg, Australia in October 2023]]

On 31 July 2014 on the 23rd day of the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict, Ireland's Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said he shared "the horror and revulsion of senators and very many of our citizens at the horrendous scenes we have witnessed since the start of the Israeli military operation." The Irish government, he said, condemned "both the unacceptably high civilian casualty rate resulting from disproportionate military action on Israel's part as well as the firing of rockets by Hamas and other militants into Israel."{{cite news|title=Ireland horrified and revolted by death and destruction in Gaza|url=http://www.irishsun.com/index.php/sid/224312675/scat/aba4168066a10b8d|access-date=1 August 2014|publisher=Irish Sun.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811064403/http://www.irishsun.com/index.php/sid/224312675/scat/aba4168066a10b8d|archive-date=11 August 2014|url-status=dead}} On 5 August 2014 a member of the British cabinet resigned over the UK government's approach to the 2014 conflict.

During the U.S. Presidential campaigns of 2016, Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders criticized Israel for its treatment of Gaza, and in particular criticized Netanyahu for "overreacting" and causing unnecessary civilian deaths.[http://www.timesofisrael.com/bernie-sanders-accuses-netanyahu-of-overreacting-in-gaza-war/ Bernie Sanders accuses Netanyahu of overreacting in Gaza war] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404014618/http://www.timesofisrael.com/bernie-sanders-accuses-netanyahu-of-overreacting-in-gaza-war/ |date=4 April 2016 }} The Times of Israel, 19 November 2015 In April 2016 the Anti-Defamation League called on Sanders to withdraw remarks he made to the New York Daily News, which the ADL said exaggerated the death toll of the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict. Sanders said "over 10,000 innocent people were killed", a number far in excess of Palestinian or Israel sources' estimates.[http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/US-Jewish-group-slams-Bernie-Sanders-for-misstatements-on-2014-Gaza-war-450507 US Jewish group slams Bernie Sanders for misstatements on 2014 Gaza war] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407082822/http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/US-Jewish-group-slams-Bernie-Sanders-for-misstatements-on-2014-Gaza-war-450507 |date=7 April 2016 }} The Jerusalem Post, 6 April 2016 In response, Sanders said that he accepted a corrected number of the death toll as 2,300 in the course of the interview and that he would make every effort to set the record straight. The transcript of the interview failed to note that Sanders said "Okay" to the corrected number presented by the interviewer during the course of the interview.[http://www.timesofisrael.com/sanders-tells-adl-he-knows-he-got-his-gaza-death-toll-number-wrong/ Sanders tells ADL he knows he got his Gaza death toll number wrong] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411013806/http://www.timesofisrael.com/sanders-tells-adl-he-knows-he-got-his-gaza-death-toll-number-wrong/ |date=11 April 2016 }} The Times of Israel, 8 April 2016

Public opinion poll conducted on 23–28 October 2023 by the polling company iPanel in collaboration with Tel Aviv University found that 57.5% of Israeli Jews believed that the Israeli military was using "too little" firepower during the retaliatory strikes in Gaza, while 36.6% believed the amount of firepower was "appropriate", 4.2% were not sure, and only 1.8% said the IDF was using "too much" firepower. In contrast, 50.5% of Israeli Arabs believed that the Israeli military was using "too much" firepower in Gaza.{{cite magazine |title=What Israelis Think of the War With Hamas |url=https://time.com/6333781/israel-hamas-poll-palestine/ |magazine=Time |date=10 November 2023 |access-date=6 January 2024 |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207104223/https://time.com/6333781/israel-hamas-poll-palestine/ |url-status=live }} The Direct Polls survey published in December 2023 found that 83% of Israelis supported encouraging the voluntary emigration of residents of the Gaza Strip.{{cite news |title=Poll: 83% of Israelis Support Voluntary Emigration from Gaza |url=https://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/gaza/poll-83-of-israelis-support-voluntary-emigration-from-gaza/2023/12/24/ |work=The Jewish Press |date=24 December 2023 |access-date=6 January 2024 |archive-date=7 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107072506/https://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/gaza/poll-83-of-israelis-support-voluntary-emigration-from-gaza/2023/12/24/ |url-status=live }} Public opinion poll conducted in December 2023 by the Israel Democracy Institute found that 87% of Jewish Israelis supported the war in Gaza.{{cite news |title=As death toll mounts in Gaza, veterans of past negotiations weigh in on possibilities for peace |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-death-toll-peace-negotiations-veterans-rcna131271 |work=NBC News |date=31 December 2023 |access-date=29 February 2024 |archive-date=27 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227124200/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-death-toll-peace-negotiations-veterans-rcna131271 |url-status=live }} 75% of Jewish Israelis rejected the Biden administration's calls to change the IDF's strategy to one that "reduces the heavy bombing of densely populated areas."{{cite news |title=Most Israelis oppose US demand to weaken Gaza fight |url=https://www.jns.org/most-israelis-oppose-us-demand-to-weaken-gaza-fight/ |work=Jewish News Syndicate |date=2 January 2024}}

Some analysts believe the conflict has drawn in Egypt, Iran, Turkey, and Qatar, supporting different sides of the conflict in light of the regional standoff between Iran and Saudi Arabia[https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/iran-hamas-and-palestinian-islamic-jihad] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507050705/https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/iran-hamas-and-palestinian-islamic-jihad|date=7 May 2019}} "In 2015, tensions between Hamas and Iran also developed when Hamas expressed tacit support for the Saudi-led offensive against the Houthis, a militant rebel group backed by Iran in Yemen. In August 2017, Iran again began funding Hamas after Saleh al Arouri, the Hamas second-in-command, met with senior Iranian officials." on one hand and between Qatar and Saudi Arabia on the other, as well as crisis in Egyptian-Turkish relations.{{Cite web|url=https://mepc.org/commentary/turkey-and-egypt-odds-over-gaza|title=Turkey and Egypt at Odds Over Gaza | Middle East Policy Council|website=mepc.org|date=30 July 2014 |access-date=24 May 2020|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731235600/https://mepc.org/commentary/turkey-and-egypt-odds-over-gaza|url-status=live}}

{{Update|section|date=October 2023}}

According to NGOs and the UN, the recent wars and the blockade have led to worsening living conditions in Gaza, and it could become unlivable by 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/02/gaza-becoming-uninhabitable-as-society-can-no-longer-support-itself-report|title=Gaza could soon become uninhabitable, UN report predicts|first=Peter|last=Beaumont|newspaper=The Guardian |date=2 September 2015|via=www.theguardian.com|access-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119010754/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/02/gaza-becoming-uninhabitable-as-society-can-no-longer-support-itself-report|archive-date=19 November 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://972mag.com/gaza-will-be-unlivable-next-year-not-2020-as-the-un-says/128598/|title=Gaza will be unlivable next year, not 2020 as the UN says|date=11 July 2017|access-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119010751/https://972mag.com/gaza-will-be-unlivable-next-year-not-2020-as-the-un-says/128598/|archive-date=19 November 2018|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Gaza war}}

File:Damage in Gaza Strip during the October 2023 - 13.jpg

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been termed a "crisis" and a "catastrophe."{{cite web|last1=Ioanes|first1=Ellen|title=Gaza's spiraling humanitarian crisis, explained|url=https://www.vox.com/2023/10/14/23917260/israel-hamas-war-gaza-humanitarian-crisis|website=Vox|date=14 October 2023|access-date=16 October 2023|archive-date=14 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014224531/https://www.vox.com/2023/10/14/23917260/israel-hamas-war-gaza-humanitarian-crisis|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Marsi|first1=Federica|title=Gaza doctors warn of a humanitarian catastrophe after Israeli attacks|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/14/supplies-exhausted-doctors-exhausted-in-gaza-catastrophe-looms-large|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=16 October 2023|archive-date=14 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014174402/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/14/supplies-exhausted-doctors-exhausted-in-gaza-catastrophe-looms-large|url-status=live}} As a result of Israel's siege, Gaza faces shortages of fuel, food, medication, water, and medical supplies. UN Humanitarian Aid chief Martin Griffiths said, "the noose around the civilian population in Gaza is tightening."{{cite web|last1=Gottbrath|first1=Laurin-Whitney|title=Gaza "fast becoming hell hole" on "brink of collapse" amid Israel strikes: UN|url=https://www.axios.com/2023/10/14/gaza-humanitarian-crisis-hamas-israel-war-death-toll|website=Axios|access-date=16 October 2023|archive-date=16 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016101000/https://www.axios.com/2023/10/14/gaza-humanitarian-crisis-hamas-israel-war-death-toll|url-status=live}} On 13 October, UNRWA commissioner Philippe Lazzarini said, "The scale and speed of the unfolding humanitarian crisis is bone-chilling."{{cite news|last1=Reed|first1=John|last2=Mehul|first2=Srivastava|title=Residents flee Gaza City as Israel tells 1.1mn to leave|url=https://www.ft.com/content/8ea2374e-c21c-4232-bc69-615e36b26caa?shareType=nongift|website=Financial Times|date=13 October 2023|access-date=13 October 2023|archive-date=31 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031142818/https://www.ft.com/content/8ea2374e-c21c-4232-bc69-615e36b26caa?shareType=nongift|url-status=live}}

On 16 October, doctors warned of an impending disease outbreak due to hospital overcrowding and unburied bodies. The same day, the World Health Organization stated there were only "24 hours of water, electricity and fuel left" before "a real catastrophe."{{cite web|title=Humanitarian aid stuck at Gaza border as WHO warns of 'catastrophe'|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/16/humatarian-aid-stuck-at-gaza-border-as-who-warns-of-catastrophe|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=16 October 2023|archive-date=27 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427184938/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/16/humatarian-aid-stuck-at-gaza-border-as-who-warns-of-catastrophe|url-status=live}} On 18 October, the United States vetoed a UN resolution urging humanitarian aid to Gaza.{{cite web|last1=Lederer|first1=Edith|title=US vetoes UN resolution condemning Hamas' attacks on Israel and all violence against civilians|url=https://apnews.com/article/un-security-council-resolution-gaza-hamas-1c23913f8552f5379b2c158a83493835|website=Associated Press|date=18 October 2023|access-date=18 October 2023|archive-date=20 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020144758/https://apnews.com/article/un-security-council-resolution-gaza-hamas-1c23913f8552f5379b2c158a83493835|url-status=live}} The World Health Organization stated the situation in Gaza was "spiraling out of control."{{cite web|title=Israel-Hamas war live: Biden in Israel, anger over Gaza hospital attack|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/10/17/israel-hamas-war-live-anger-after-israeli-strike-kills-500-in-hospital|website=Al Jazeera |access-date=18 October 2023 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018084831/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/10/17/israel-hamas-war-live-anger-after-israeli-strike-kills-500-in-hospital |url-status=bot: unknown}}

On 20 October, Doctors Without Borders stated it was "deeply concerned for the fate of everyone in Gaza right now."{{cite web |title=X post by Doctors Without Borders |url=https://twitter.com/MSF_USA/status/1715416018594529450?s=20 |website=X |access-date=20 October 2023 |archive-date=20 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020182334/https://twitter.com/MSF_USA/status/1715416018594529450?s=20 |url-status=live }} On 21 October, a joint statement by UNICEF, WHO, UNDP, UNFPA, and WFP stated, "the world must do more" for Gaza.{{cite web |title='The world must do more' for Gaza, 5 UN agencies say |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1142652 |website=UN News |date=21 October 2023 |publisher=United Nations |access-date=22 October 2023 |archive-date=21 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021191654/https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1142652 |url-status=live }} On 22 October, UNRWA announced it would run out of fuel within three days, resulting in "no water, no functioning hospitals and bakeries."{{cite news |last1=Sands |first1=Leo |title=Trickle of aid to Gaza not enough, U.N. says, as IDF plans more airstrikes |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/22/israel-hamas-war-news-gaza-aid-updates/#link-YX6COGA4ZRBLJEF6P7V74IZXCU |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=22 October 2023 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022053342/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/22/israel-hamas-war-news-gaza-aid-updates/#link-YX6COGA4ZRBLJEF6P7V74IZXCU |url-status=live }}

Since 7 October 2023, IDF has been accused of the extrajudicial killing of Palestinian unarmed detainees,{{Cite web |date=14 December 2023 |title=Hungry, thirsty and humiliated: Israel's mass arrest campaign sows fear in northern Gaza |url=https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-detained-israel-hamas-gaza-war-0ecbc338e4024add059b87b38022086d |access-date=2 February 2024 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231215002059/https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-detained-israel-hamas-gaza-war-0ecbc338e4024add059b87b38022086d |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=15 December 2023 |title=Israeli military opens probe after videos show Israeli forces killing 2 Palestinians at close range |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-west-bank-gaza-war-east-jerusalem-shooting-army-23338c903c08bdd3e5fade3e2a048ab1 |access-date=2 February 2024 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=24 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124200810/https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-west-bank-gaza-war-east-jerusalem-shooting-army-23338c903c08bdd3e5fade3e2a048ab1 |url-status=live }} doctors,{{Cite web |last1=Salman |first1=Abeer |last2=Khadder |first2=Kareem |date=23 December 2023 |title=Doctors accuse Israeli troops of desecrating bodies and shooting civilians at hospital Israel says was Hamas 'command center' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/23/middleeast/kamal-adwan-hospital-gaza-israel-abuse-allegations-intl-cmd/index.html |access-date=2 February 2024 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=5 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205231745/https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/23/middleeast/kamal-adwan-hospital-gaza-israel-abuse-allegations-intl-cmd/index.html |url-status=live }} and workers, making threats of mutilation,{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Miriam |date=12 January 2024 |title=Gazan prisoners describe abuse at secretive Israeli detention sites |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/01/11/gaza-detainees-israel-prisons-hamas/ |access-date=2 February 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=6 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206234450/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/01/11/gaza-detainees-israel-prisons-hamas/ |url-status=live }} death,{{Cite web |last=Shawer |first=Mosab |title='Threatened with rape': Lama Khater recalls horrors while in Israeli jails |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/1/10/threatened-with-rape-lama-khater-recalls-horrors-while-in-israeli-jails |access-date=2 February 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=27 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127100046/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/1/10/threatened-with-rape-lama-khater-recalls-horrors-while-in-israeli-jails |url-status=live }} arson, and rape, torturing of Palestinians detained without legal charges.{{Cite web |title=Palestinian workers from Gaza describe torture and abuse in Israeli detention |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-war-gaza-workers-torture-abuse-detention |access-date=2 February 2024 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en |archive-date=2 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202165606/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-war-gaza-workers-torture-abuse-detention |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=WRAL |date=6 November 2023 |title=Gaza workers expelled from Israel accuse Israeli authorities of abuse, including beatings |url=https://www.wral.com/story/gaza-workers-expelled-from-israel-accuse-israeli-authorities-of-abuse-including-beatings/21135682/ |access-date=2 February 2024 |website=WRAL.com |language=en |archive-date=2 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202165606/https://www.wral.com/story/gaza-workers-expelled-from-israel-accuse-israeli-authorities-of-abuse-including-beatings/21135682/ |url-status=live }} It has also been accused of using excessive force against dozens of schools{{Cite web |title=How Israel has destroyed Gaza's schools and universities |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/24/how-israel-has-destroyed-gazas-schools-and-universities |access-date=2 February 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=24 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124211224/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/24/how-israel-has-destroyed-gazas-schools-and-universities |url-status=live }} and hospitals,{{Cite web |last=UN |date=2023 |title=Gaza: UN experts decry bombing of hospitals and schools as crimes against humanity, call for prevention of genocide |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/10/gaza-un-experts-decry-bombing-hospitals-and-schools-crimes-against-humanity |access-date=28 February 2024 |archive-date=31 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131100935/https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/10/gaza-un-experts-decry-bombing-hospitals-and-schools-crimes-against-humanity |url-status=live }} theft, and cruel and unnecessary treatment of Palestinians. During the fighting, far-right Channel 14 kept logs going of buildings destroyed and terrorists killed, with all Palestinian casualties labeled as terrorists.{{Cite web |date=10 January 2024 |title=The far right infiltration of Israel's media is blinding the public to the truth about Gaza {{!}} Etan Nechin {{!}} The Guardian |website=TheGuardian.com |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/jan/09/israel-media-gaza-benjamin-netanyahu-settler-movement |access-date=2 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110024816/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/jan/09/israel-media-gaza-benjamin-netanyahu-settler-movement |archive-date=10 January 2024 }} On Channel 14, the Hamas surprise attack was framed as caused by a "leftist cancer," by a Likud party member, while Shimon Riklin, a Channel 14 journalist and anchor, publicly backed war crimes.{{Cite web |last=Middle East Eye |date=18 December 2023 |title=Israeli journalist Shimon Riklin has stirred controversy and condemnation after supporting war crimes, stating his inability to sleep unless he sees homes in Gaza destroyed. |url=https://twitter.com/MiddleEastEye/status/1736541361287934432 |access-date=28 February 2024 |archive-date=2 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202165608/https://twitter.com/MiddleEastEye/status/1736541361287934432 |url-status=live }}

Due to the conflict, Israel has stepped up its defense measures in the southern communities and cities of Israel. This includes building fortifications on existing structures and bomb shelters and developing an alarm system (Red Color).{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Defense/Barak-confirms-Iron-Dome-to-be-deployed-within-days|title=Barak confirms: 'Iron Dome' to be deployed within days – Defense – Jerusalem Post|website=jpost.com|date=25 March 2011 |access-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119010817/https://www.jpost.com/Defense/Barak-confirms-Iron-Dome-to-be-deployed-within-days|archive-date=19 November 2018|url-status=live}}

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