Thu. Jan 08, 2009
Israel and Hamas are exchanging not only gunfire, but also mutual accusations as to which side is to blame for breaking the fragile cease-fire.
The two sides had reached an informal agreement six months ago on stopping military actions, but attempts to renew the period of calm fell short, as each side blamed the other for not adhering to the agreement.
This timeline of events leading up to the war describes the tit for tat that took place in Gaza in recent years. This densely populated area, though never a tranquil region, has been thrown into an even greater sense of chaos in the period following Israel’s disengagement from Gaza. With Hamas overthrowing the Fatah regime and intensifying attacks against Israel, Gaza turned into a leading source of instability.
For Gazans, life has become increasingly difficult, as the international community shunned the Hamas government and Israel closed border crossings. Israelis, in turn, have suffered the terror of constant rocket barrages.
This timeline provides a factual outline of the events that led up to the current round of fighting.
Click image below to see timeline:
2005 Sept
Israel withdraws rrom the Gaza Strip, ending 38 years of occupation. The disengagement led by Ariel Sharon, included evacuation of 7,000 Jewish settlers and all IDF forces. Opening the borders crossings bbetween Gaza and Israel was not addressed.
2006 January 26
Hamas wins the Palestinian parliamentary elections.
2006 Feb
US and Europe stop direct aid to Hamas Government in Gaza.
Rocket shelling from Gaza to Israel's Southern town of Sderat increases, met by Israel airstrikes and artillery.
2006 June 25
Hamas launch an attack against IDF forces outside the Gaz border, killing two soldiers and kidnapping Corporal Gilad Shalit. Israel responds with air and ground military operation that fails to release Shalt.
2006 November
Israel takes military action in an attempt to end rocket fire from Gaza.
2006 December
Fighting between Hamas and Fatah fighters intencifies in Gaza.
2007 June 13
Following days of fighting between Hams and Fatah, Hamas takes over the Gaza Strip, driving out Palestinian Authority loyal to President Mah moud Abbas.
2008 January
Israel closes border crossings into Gaza, cutting off suplies, including fuel. Gaza power plants shut down. Israel later eases the embarga and allowes limited supplies to enter Gaza Strip.
2008 January 23
Palestinians blow up the border fence betwennGaz and Egypt. Tens of thousands of Palestinians rush into Egypt Rafah, seeking food and supplies.
2008 June 19
An agreement on a period of calm between Israel and Hamas is reache after indirect negotiations brockered by Egypt. Then informal agreement, demanding both sides stop military actions, was set for six months.
2008 November 4
Israel forces cross the Gaza border and blow up a tunnel that was meant to be used to kidnapping soldiers. Six Hams soldiers are killed.
2008 November 14
Hamas fires dozens of rockets at Israel Southern region. Hams leaders argue that this is a response to Israel attack on the tunnel.
2008 December 19
Hamas announces that the truce has ended and launches rocket barrages against Southern Israel.
2008 December 27
Israel opens a wide-scale assault on the Gaza Strip, targeting rocket sites and Hamas installations. This was air attack.
2009 January 3
Israel begins its ground attacks in Gaza.
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