User:Tiamut/Gaza

The Gaza War was a three-week conflict that took place in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel during the winter of 2008–2009. It began on December 27, 2008, when Israeli forces launched a military attack on Gaza codenamed Operation Cast Lead (מבצע עופרת יצוקה). The stated objective was to stop rocket fire from, and arms smuggling into the area by Palestinian militants, although other motives have also been forwarded. The conflict is also known as the Gaza Massacre (مجزرة غزة) in the Arab world, and the War in the South by Israeli media.

Among the sites targeted by Israel were police stations and government buildings, and significant damage was incurred to civilian buildings and infrastructure in Gaza. Hamas oversaw the intensification of rocket and mortar attacks, launched by militants from various Palestinian factions, that struck civilian and military targets in southern Israel throughout the conflict. An Israeli ground invasion began on January 3, 2009. Israel declared a unilateral ceasefire on January 18, followed by Hamas' announcement of a one-week ceasefire twelve hours later. Israel completed its troop withdrawal from the Gaza Strip on January 21.

Between 1,166 and 1,417 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed. More than 400,000 Gazans were left without running water, while 4,000 homes were destroyed or badly damaged, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless; 80 government buildings were hit. A report published in September 2009 by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) stated that both Israeli and Palestinian forces committed war crimes during the war and recommended bringing those responsible to justice. "