Timeline Timeline of the Gaza War (2008–09)

1 timeline

1.1 december

1.1.1 27 december 2008
1.1.2 28 december 2008
1.1.3 29 december 2008

1.1.3.1 dignity incident


1.1.4 30 december 2008
1.1.5 31 december 2008


1.2 january

1.2.1 1 january 2009
1.2.2 2 january 2009
1.2.3 3 january 2009
1.2.4 4 january 2009

1.2.4.1 zeitoun incident


1.2.5 5 january 2009
1.2.6 6 january 2009

1.2.6.1 unrwa school incident


1.2.7 7 january 2009
1.2.8 8 january 2009
1.2.9 9 january 2009
1.2.10 10 january 2009
1.2.11 11 january 2009
1.2.12 12 january 2009
1.2.13 13 january 2009
1.2.14 14 january 2009
1.2.15 15 january 2009
1.2.16 16 january 2009
1.2.17 17 january 2009
1.2.18 18 january 2009
1.2.19 20 january 2009
1.2.20 21 january 2009
1.2.21 22 january 2009

timeline
december
27 december 2008

israeli armed forces began operations against hamas , rocket launchers @ 11:30 a.m., 27 december. more 50 fighter jets , attack helicopters entered gazan airspace. palestinian sources said israeli forces responsible killing 225-292 palestinians , wounding more 1,000. extensive attack on gaza since 1967. iaf, said responding hamas rocket attacks on southern israel, dropped more 100 bombs on 50 targets, reportedly included hamas paramilitary bases, training camps, , underground qassam rocket launchers. bombs dropped on government offices, police stations, , hamas headquarters.

the aircraft used f-16 fighter jets , ah-64 apache helicopters. 140 members of hamas security forces killed, including police chief tawfiq jabber, head of hamas’ security , protection unit , police commander central gaza, along @ least 15 civilians. children among casualties. bombed areas included ceremony new police officers. 40 graduates killed. mosque in gaza city targeted in airstrikes , 2 palestinians killed. israeli military spokesmen said mosque being used terrorist activities .

sixty israeli planes targeted hamas security , military training compounds, weapon storage buildings, , dropped more 100 tons of bombs. of bombs used on 27 , 28 december u.s. built gbu-39 small diameter bomb, first shipment of arrived in israel @ beginning of month.

hamas later fired 700 rockets , mortars @ israel. 1 of rockets hit town of netivot, killing israeli man, destroying house , wounding 6 other people. rocket hit synagogue in eshkol regional council, injuring 2 men, 1 seriously. in evening 2 men in israeli community of mivtahim injured, 1 seriously, direct hit hamas rocket.

according united nations officials, fuel deliveries gaza strip through nahal oz crossing suspended, last delivery taking place day previous on 26 december.

many palestinians refer 27 december massacre of black saturday produced highest one-day death toll in 60 years of conflict.

28 december 2008

twenty-five airstrikes carried out on sunday israel, raising number of casualties 287 dead , 900 wounded. according egyptian foreign minister ahmed aboul gheit, hamas refused allow casualties leave gaza medical treatment. 1 rocket shot f-16 fighter jet on mosque near shifa hospital in gaza city, rockets reported israeli media launched, killed 4 members of hamas. in gaza city, 5 children same family killed in israeli airstrike. israeli jets bombed tunnels in rafah area. these tunnels reportedly used smuggle civilian goods , weapons after israel , egypt imposed blockade of gaza in june 2007. main road of sallah el-dein in northern gaza strip bombed. road leads towns of beit hanoun, beit lahia , jabalia. no injuries reported in bombing.

an israeli air-to-ground rocket destroyed metal workshop in northern gaza city which, according israel, used in manufacturing qassam rockets fired @ israel. al-noor organisation in gaza city, belonging hamas organization, bombed, causing severe damage building. main building of hamas-owned al-aqsa tv station struck. station continued broadcasting via mobile unit . aidan white, secretary-general of international federation of journalists condemned destruction of television station, stating international law forbids attacks on media installations, when instruments of propaganda . iaf attacked jabalia , northern gaza killing 2 more people , wounding others.

al saraya, building in gaza city contained government offices, security offices , prison, attacked. 4 people died. fuel lorry traveling in rafah near egyptian border destroyed, killing 6 people. idf confirmed attack on tunnels in philadelphi route , claimed successful destruction of 40 of them. missiles hit near beit hanoun city hall.

rockets fired gaza strip, range of extended. 3 rockets landed near city of ashdod – fifth largest israeli city , main sea port. border egypt breached , inhabitants gaza moved egypt. 1 egyptian border policeman killed palestinian gunmen, , several palestinians wounded egyptian gunfire , taken hospital in egypt.

the united nations security council held closed door meeting convened @ request of libya. meeting lasted 4 hours, , resulted in press statement calling on parties stop military activities ... [and] address serious humanitarian , economic needs in gaza , take necessary measures, including opening of border crossings.

on eve of ground incursion israeli forces, khaled mashal assured should idf launch ground offensive, black destiny , abduction awaits israeli soldiers. hamas spokesman added god s gaza become graveyard israeli troops.

29 december 2008

air strikes on strip continued. after midnight on 29 december, israeli forces made 6 separate airstrikes against islamic university of gaza, cultural symbol of hamas, though university had evacuated days in advance. according jerusalem post, university hosts hamas military laboratories under auspices of professors , buildings used storing rockets , explosives. according idf , shin bet, 1 compound near islamic college, bombed twice, being used chemical lab , hamas explosives lab; israel said hamas had been working improve rockets , manufacture mortar shells. israel asserted university chemistry laboratory fair target , if not show conclusively inside laboratory @ time of attack engaged in making weapons.

the death toll rose 415 morning, reported associated press. palestinian interior ministry in gaza building hit israeli missiles @ dawn. university , ministry both located in tel al-hawa neighborhood.

a mosque in jabaliya refugee camp bombed iaf. building destroyed , 5 young girls house neighboured mosque killed. ziad abu-tir, senior member of islamic jihad s military wing killed in strike in khan younis area.

the international red cross reported hospitals in gaza strip overwhelmed , unable cope casualties. red cross spokesman in gaza iyad nasr said gaza needed more supplies brought in urgently, in particular hospitals have been depleted , stretched maximum because of closure imposed . according idf, israel permitted number of turkish-donated ambulances west bank transported gaza strip, red cross, unrwa, world food programme , doctors without borders medical supplies.

the israeli city of ashkelon hit grad rocket, killing israeli-arab construction worker , wounding 3 other people. nahal oz army base in southern israel hit mortar fire, killing 1 soldier, later identified lutfi nasraldin. attacks increased pressure on government army amassed infantry , armored forces along border.

israel s military intelligence chief said hamas ability fire rockets had been reduced 50 percent, hamas continued command 20,000 fighters .

the foreign ministry of senegal reported exiled hamas leader khaled meshaal ready sign immediate ceasefire israel, provided israel lifted blockade on gaza strip.

on 29 december idf spokesperson confirmed first time that, apart maintaining naval blockade on gaza, israeli navy taking active part in operation. video taken israeli navy , published on several news sites showed israeli navy attacking gaza coast line, using both typhoon weapon system , surface-to-surface missiles.

according haaretz, among targets hit israeli navy ismayil haniah s offices, several command , control centers used hamas, , hamas patrol boat. on 31 december, israeli navy targeted number of hamas outposts , rocket launching sites , according idf spokesperson. on 4 january, israel extended naval blockade 6 to 20 nautical miles (11–37 km; 6.9–23.0 mi) prevent vessels entering strip.

dignity incident

on 29 december 2008, free gaza movement motor yacht dignity set course cyprus, carrying aid gaza. boat, carried irish human rights activist caoimhe butterly, former united states representative , 2008 green party nominee u.s. president cynthia mckinney, journalists al jazeera , cnn such karl penhaul, , 3 surgeons including dr. elena theoharous, member of cyprus parliament, attempted enter gaza strip, carrying 3.5 tonnes (3.9 short tons) of medical supplies. passengers stated several israeli naval vessels approached boat. free gaza member david halpin said israeli officers on board asked captain halt dignity s course gaza, refused. according cnn reporter penhaul israeli vessel rammed motor yacht, causing heavy damage. penhaul has admittedly stated did not have view of israeli vessel @ time. other passengers said several israeli vessels fired machine guns water. activists stated boat in international waters, 70-80 miles or 90 miles gaza strip coast. mckinney said israeli vessel had rammed boat approximately 3 times, twice in front , once in side .

israeli foreign ministry spokesman yigal palmor said no shooting had occurred, , motor yacht inside israeli territorial waters, , boat had failed respond israeli naval radio contact. palmor said dignity had crashed israel vessel while attempting outmanoeuvre it. palmor said fact ship carrying journalists, including cnn crew had broadcast live 3 times, proved incident provocation on part of media. after incident, boat turned back. palmor stated naval ship offered assist passengers had declined offer. palmor stated israeli ships escorted damaged boat cypriot territorial waters. did not have enough fuel return cyprus , ended docking in lebanon, greeted cheering crowds.

cypriot foreign minister markos kyprianou stated cyprus lodge formal complaint regarding incident. in written statement, consulate general of israel southeast usa, based in atlanta, georgia, said mckinney has taken upon herself commit act of provocation , endangering herself , crew, , called behavior irresponsible .

30 december 2008

israeli air-strikes struck 5 ministerial buildings, structure owned islamic university, sports center, 2 hamas training camps, home of senior hamas commander (who not present), , offices of popular resistance committees. 10 fatalities reported. whole compound of ministerial buildings in gaza city, including ministries of finance, interior , education, destroyed 30 december. international middle east media center stated ministries not terrorist or military sites , buildings civilian buildings served population in civil matters . premises of gaza community mental health programme (gcmhp) destroyed.

gazans said israeli strikes came without warning, israeli forces said in reply offered general warnings dropping leaflets , interrupting radio broadcasts telling gaza residents flee homes if hiding weapons or terrorists. amnesty international argued there no safe places in gaza civilians seek shelter .

israel kept schools closed within radius of 50 km (31 mi) gaza border, citing concerns further rocket fire. residents told remain indoors , on alert alarms heralding incoming rockets. hamas launched chinese-made rockets @ beersheba, city in southern israel. grad missile landed in empty kindergarten, causing damage. 24 qassam rockets , 11 mortars fired israel, causing damage no injuries.

egypt said open border gaza strip if crossing post come under control of mahmoud abbas s palestinian authority.

israel had banned reporters entering gaza strip since november 2008, citing security reasons. petition made 400 foreign journalists enter gaza strip filed israel s supreme court.

israel permitted 100 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies enter gaza strip via kerem shalom border crossing. 5 ambulances donated turkey allowed entry.

31 december 2008

about 35 hamas fighters , 5 palestinians civilians killed during continued air strikes, unrwa reported @ least 25 percent of dead far in conflict had been civilians. israel continued bombing, striking dozens of targets including smuggling tunnels along gaza–egypt border.

during morning, 2 more rockets launched gaza hit city of beersheba; 1 of rockets hit school, causing severe damage building, no casualties, israeli authorities instructed schools remain closed. 2 rockets landed in israeli city of ashkelon, causing light injuries 2 people; rocket hit town of ofakim; several more landed around these cities , cities of kiryat gat, kiryat malachi , ashdod. altogether, more 60 katyusha , qassam rockets fired gaza israel.

according un humanitarian coordinator max gaylard, gaza s hospitals facing severe strain dealing largest ever trauma caseloads under of adverse conditions imaginable . douglas alexander, britain s international development secretary quoted saying thousands suffering. medical items in short supply. fuel shortages have led power cuts in turn affecting hospitals , other essential services. , un stocks of food low. limited aid getting through cannot distributed because of bombing air , rocket attacks launched inside gaza . injured six-year-old palestinian boy allowed transferred gaza israeli children s hospital treatment.

israel rejected international appeals proposed french foreign minister bernard kouchner grant 48-hour cease-fire, saying conditions not right ceasefire. meanwhile, hamas spokesman ayman taha told afp agency hamas open ceasefire proposition end israeli airstrikes , stop gaza blockade. palestinian president mahmoud abbas, threatened halt peace talks if go against palestinian interests , offer support aggression .

in briefing israeli cabinet, shin bet chief yuval diskin said hamas has suffered significant damages , rule on gaza has been compromised, , many hamas operatives hiding in hospitals, posing medical staff, or hiding in mosques , using them headquarters, since assumed israel won t attack them there. according israeli air force, hamas cells have been firing rockets within densely populated areas , attempting use palestinian civilians human shields. cells have been detected in neighborhoods in gaza city, jabalya, khan younis , rafah. israel defense forces has distributed flyers palestinian population in gaza, warning civilians not stay close hamas related buildings, own safety. israeli air force bombed gaza strip mosque. according idf mosque used hamas storage site missiles , explosive materials , rocket cells firing @ israel mosque area , nearby sites. according ynet, attack on mosque carried out after legal consultation idf experts on international law.

israel s supreme court, in response court petition heard previous day, gave israeli government until 10 a.m. thursday allow small group of reporters gaza strip. court warned reporters in embattled area @ own risk . ruling went against government decision 6 weeks ago keep foreign reporters out of gaza until rockets fired against israel halted .

ninety-three trucks carrying medicine, medical supplies , food donated jordan , international organisations allowed entry gaza strip, through kerem shalom border crossing. world food programme notified idf not in need of further food shipments, warehouses filled capacity.

top un aid officials urged israel allow resumption of fuel deliveries gaza strip, noting fuel shortage resulting suspension of deliveries had caused main power plant in gaza shut down on 30 december, affecting 350,000 people in central , northern gaza, live 16 hours or more of powercuts per day.

the united nations security council met 2 hours hear statements secretary general, representatives of palestine, israel , other members of council.

january
1 january 2009

israeli air strikes hit gaza s parliament building, , offices of education , justice ministries, leaving 4 dead , 25 wounded. pre-dawn strike against home of hamas operative resulted in death of palestinian woman. palestinian reports mention missiles landed on workshop , several money changers offices, 1 of close children s hospital, damaging it. in rafah, air strikes destroyed 5 smuggling tunnels , police command center, while in gaza city, alleged weapons manufacturing center , storage facility destroyed. dozens of israelis received text messages hamas in morning warning offensive on gaza bring massive rocket fire on israel. according israeli military sources, hamas launched more 50 rockets israel without causing casualties. rockets hit beersheba , ashdod, damaging residential building in latter city.

on 1 january, more 30 rockets fired gaza southern israel. 1 of them hit ashdod, , 2 hit beersheba. on 2 january, hamas fired more 20 rockets israel, of them hitting ashkelon, 20 more rockets being fired next day.

an israeli warplane dropped one-ton bomb on home of nizar rayan, senior hamas political leader, in jabaliya refugee camp, killing him, 9 women (including 4 wives), 11 children, , wounding 30. liaison between political , armed wings of hamas , advocate of renewing suicide bombings, rayan senior political figure killed israel since 2004. according idf, rayan s house used arms cache, communications headquarters , concealed tunnel s opening. international herald tribune reported among killed rayan s 4 wives , 9 of twelve children. on 2 january, times online reports instead 2 of 4 wives , 4 of 12 children killed. un ocha reports 13 of family members, including 11 of children, killed , 12 injured. there reports family warned idf leave building had refused so. according ynet, recent deliberations idf resulted in decision striking homes used weapons storages when sufficient warning given residents falls within boundaries of international law , legitimate. rayan had sent son carry out suicide attack in community of elei sinai in 2001 in 2 israelis killed, , behind bombing in ashdod port in 2004 left 10 israelis dead.

ninety trucks carrying food , medical supplies provided international organisations entered gaza strip through kerem shalom border crossing. egypt blocked entry of humanitarian aid qatar pass through rafah crossing, however, israel announced allow several aircraft qatar land in israel , aid sent truck gaza.

2 january 2009

hamas called day of wrath against israel, bringing thousands of protesters out onto streets of gaza , west bank. israeli air strikes on friday targeted homes of 20 hamas officials, including of imad akel in nuseirat , mohammed madhoun. 1 of strikes in khan yunis killed 5 civilians. israel began bomb ground near boundary in attempt clear of landmines, increasing speculation ground offensive imminent. israel briefly opened erez crossing allow 440 residents foreign passports leave gaza strip. foreign journalists continued barred entry gaza; had lined @ erez crossing intending enter after court decision supported right when crossing open, turned israeli authorities. @ around 10:45, in repeat attack south-west of deir al-balah, international red cross , red crescent movement ambulance, had arrived transport survivors following initial attack, destroyed second israeli attack. 2 crew members in ambulance injured , hospitalised.

throughout day, thirty rockets fired @ israel; 3 people lightly injured, , several buildings sustained heavy damage. in jerusalem, men under age of 50, or didn t hold israeli id unable access prayers in al-aqsa mosque.

3 january 2009

through 3 january 2009, israel air force had flown 555 fighter sorties , 125 helicopter missions. hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicle (uav) flight hours logged. claimed have destroyed more 500 targets including one-third of underground passages built hamas , other militant groups smuggle , store rockets, weaponry, , other supplies. throughout initial stages of air operation, idf transmitted messages civilians in gaza stay away kassam launch sites , hamas buildings , infrastructure.

thirteen palestinians, including 6 children, killed , dozens wounded when israeli air force bombed maqadna mosque in beit lahiya, in 200 people had gathered evening prayers. witnesses said on 200 palestinians praying inside @ time. person killed american international school in gaza destroyed.

a senior commander of hamas armed wing, abu zakaria al-jamal killed. commander of gaza city s rocket-launching squads. in air strike, jamal mamduch, commander of gaza city battalion, killed. many of killed hamas leaders died along families in own homes.

at least 34 rockets fired @ israel during day, damaging several buildings, , lightly injuring 1 woman in netivot. number of hamas rockets hit city of beersheba (population 186,000) in southern israel, 1 exploding on empty school. 4 israelis had been killed rockets fired gaza since beginning of iaf attacks.

israel launched first artillery strikes. israel had @ point carried out more 700 strikes on gaza since launching offensive week prior, according afp.

the un warned of worsening humanitarian crisis, , reported @ least 100 of more 400 palestinians killed israel @ point women , children.

on evening of 3 january, israeli ground troops entered gaza. intention of ground invasion, according israeli defense forces website, secure areas within gaza strip rockets had been launched after previous israeli operations.

the united nations security council held closed-door meeting failed produce official statement or on-the-record debate or vote on resolution. speaking outside meeting, president of general assembly miguel d escoto brockmann said once again, world watching in dismay dysfunctionality of security council.

4 january 2009

israeli ground troops entered beit lahiya , beit hanoun in northern gaza in hours. israeli forces bisected gaza , surrounded gaza city, reportedly restricted movements areas not heavily urbanised. israeli military said forty sites had been targeted, including targets weapons depots , rocket launch sites. despite supreme court ruling allow limited number of journalists warzone, israel refused allow journalists area. heavy fighting reported near gaza city. idf reported 30 of soldiers wounded, 28 single mortar shell landed next golani regiment, 2 out of 30 badly injured. 1 later died of wounds. israel claimed @ least 50 hamas fighters killed in incursion , dozens more wounded. israeli soldier killed identified 22-year-old sergeant dvir emanuelof. palestinian medical sources said @ least 21 palestinians killed in fighting. additionally, palestinian health ministry officials stated @ least 17 people killed , 130 injured when israeli shells fell near school , main market in gaza city. tank shell fired in northern gaza killed 12 people, apparently including civilians. israeli missile hit house in shuja iyya neighborhood, killing mother , 4 children. in morning, ambulance operating out of al-awda hospital in northern city of beit lahiya shelled, injuring 4 medical staff. @ least 41 rockets , mortars fired israel. 3 israeli civilians lightly wounded.

three senior hamas leaders killed on sunday: hussam hamdan, according idf responsible organisation s rocket fire , man behind firing of grad missiles towards cities of beersheba , ofakim; muhammad hilou, according idf responsible hamas special forces in khan younis , firing of long-range rockets; , mohammed shalpokh, commanded hamas forces in rafah.

also on 4 january, director of israel s internal security agency, shin bet, told cabinet hamas leaders both @ home , in exile felt organisation facing existential threat , willing reach agreement on ceasefire. however, foreign minister tzipi livni said israel did not intend conclude diplomatic product hamas. such move had been avoided in past out of fear of legitimising hamas negotiating partner.

hamas sources told jerusalem post members of al-aqsa martyrs brigades, popular resistance committees, islamic jihad , popular front liberation of palestine participating in fighting against idf, , making use of u.s. , israeli weapons confiscated members of fatah in 2007 battle of gaza.

according medical sources, total palestinian death toll day 42, of them civilians.

fatah officials in ramallah told jerusalem post hamas militiamen had been assaulting many fatah activists since beginning of operation last saturday. said @ least 75 activists shot in legs while others had hands broken. meanwhile, sources close hamas revealed on weekend movement had executed more 35 palestinians suspected of collaborating israel , being held in various hamas security installations.

the new york times reported israelis fired tank shells house in tuffah district, , on 4th, in crowded shati refugee camp near coast, shell fired navy ship hit house; there no survivors.

zeitoun incident

the daily telegraph reported in zeitoun district, in morning of 4 january, israeli troops evacuated 110 members of samouni, extended family clan, samouni-owned warehouse, waited without running water or food 24 hours. starting @ 6:35am on 5th, house repeatedly shelled. killed inside building falling masonry; although rest attempted flee building, majority of dead killed outside, shrapnel. initial reports of 60 70 killed; un count of total killed 30, 11 samouni family members dead. few survivors, wounded, others carrying of dead or dying, managed reach gaza s main north-south road passing cars stopped take them hospital. red crescent volunteer said injured people left behind: not them , no longer safe stay.

according red cross, ambulances not given permission enter neighborhood retrieve injured building until day later. united nations confirmed these reports on 9 january 3 children later died after transported hospital. reports of incident given media norwegian doctors stationed in shifa hospital, gaza, tuesday, 5 january.

b tselem, israeli human rights group, alleged israeli forces had not done duty prevent civilian casualties assisting wounded. 48 hours after attack, icrc ambulances searching 100 yards israeli soldiers stationed found 4 children, weak move, had taken refuge near corpses believed of family. icrc believes in instance israeli military failed meet obligation under international humanitarian law care , evacuate wounded, said statement international red cross , red crescent, , called delay considers delay in granting access unacceptable .

other buildings reported being shelled during incident, , idf infantry reportedly fired on occupied house survivors of incident treated @ shifa hospital, gaza.

the idf stated had no knowledge of incident, , idf forces had not yet reached areas in question 4 january. israeli army spokesman said there no record of specific attack on specific target , nor had army massed civilians in specific locations. not rule out exchanges of fire rule out targeting of specific building, said. israel said there not humanitarian crisis in gaza , working international agencies , doing can reduce civilian casualties.

the un s ocha said if true 1 of gravest incidents in conflict, , called investigation incident, did not make accusations of deliberate action @ time. united nations high commissioner human rights, navanethem pillay, said zeitoun samouni incident appears have elements of war crimes. pillay called credible, independent , transparent investigations possible violations of humanitarian law.

5 january 2009

as israeli tanks , troops seized control of large parts of gaza strip, tens of thousands of gazans fled homes amidst artillery , gunfire, , flooded heart of gaza city. gun battles reportedly broke out between israel , hamas on streets of gaza, israeli forces surrounded city. bbc reporters stated battles preventing essential medical supplies reaching hospitals , casualties.

an airstrike hit ambulance, killing 3 paramedics. israeli tank shelling killed @ least 24 civilians in gaza strip, 13 of them children. family of 7 killed israeli airstrike in al-shati camp east of gaza city. in gaza s zaytun neighborhood, 7 members of family killed , in separate incident, pregnant palestinian woman , 4 children killed.

media reported israel using controversial substance white phosphorus on civilian targets during course of military operation. media reported israel used substance smokescreen. israel used white phosphorus in lebanon in 2006, , uk , have used elsewhere. israel denied using substance. according ha aretz , un humanitarian chief, israel had used cluster bombs.

hamas said send delegation egypt talks, france spearheaded diplomatic efforts obtain 48-hour truce. israel continued refuse let journalists enter gaza strip, despite ruling israeli supreme court admit limited number of reporters.

over 40 qassam , grad rockets fired gaza @ southern israel striking ashkelon, ashdod, sderot, kiryat malakhi, near ofakim, netivot , beersheba. hamas fired rockets @ area between ashdod , gedera.

hamas said have killed 9 israeli fighters. hamas said have captured 2 israeli soldiers. israel dismissed claims, accusing hamas of engaging in psychological warfare . evening, israeli defense forces said during course of day had killed between 80-100 hamas fighters in ground fighting, , further 100 wanted gunmen had been taken prisoner. palestinian cells fired 40 rockets , mortar shells @ israel, injuring 4 israelis.

an idf spokesperson stated 3 israeli soldiers killed in friendly fire incident after erroneously identifying israeli soldiers terrorists. 20 soldiers injured in incident. idf officer reported killed in separate friendly fire incident.

un officials published report stated israeli airstrike on grounds of un school, serving makeshift refugee camp hundreds of displaced palestinians, killed 3 palestinian men. official danish charitable organization danchurchaid reported 3 mobile clinics set hospitals in gaza cope wounded bombarded in israeli airstrikes, despite being marked humanitarian vehicles.

a total of 30 palestinian civilians known have been killed on 5 january, , total palestinian death toll @ end of day 540, until details of samouni family incident (below) emerged several days later.

6 january 2009

according palestinian sources, 20 people killed in number of idf attacks. medical workers reported attack on deir al-balah , bureij refugee camp killed ten palestinians, including father , 3 children. idf soldier killed , 4 wounded in ambush in northern gaza city. idf soldiers returned fire, killing of hamas fighters. idf soldier killed identified alexander mashevitzky. according ynet, head of hamas artillery forces , senior member of hamas military wing, ayman siam, both hit , believed have been killed in aerial attack in jabaliya neighborhood in northern gaza strip.

at least 30 rockets fired israel gaza. gedera, 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of tel aviv, hit first time. grad rocket landed near house, lightly injuring 3-month old girl.

there s safe in gaza , said john ging, un s senior official in gaza. terrorized , traumatized. spoke of 1 million palestinians without electricity , 700,000 without water, challenging world leaders undergo similar privations until had stopped fighting: not sleep, eat or drink until stop killing of innocent people in gaza strip .

israel continued refuse foreign journalists access gaza strip. continuing ban on foreign media access drew criticism journalists israel trying manage story. israel said opening border crossings journalists endanger staff @ terminals. while associated press , other news organizations have palestinian reporters, photographers , cameramen based in gaza, many media outlets have no reliable source of independent information.

medics report israeli airstrike on 4-story building in gaza city night before had killed 12 members of same extended family; bodies of 7 children aged 1 twelve years old, 3 women , 2 men daya family pulled rubble on tuesday.

senior israeli defense officials said hamas had set independent hospitals, , had stolen israeli aid supplies.

a senior idf officer said tunnels, weapons, anti-aircraft missiles, grenades, explosive devices, , weapons prepared future attacks, such motorbikes intended kidnapping, had been found; officer stated booby-trapped homes had been encountered, , booby-trapped mosque had been blown up.

the united nations security council held four-hour meeting in new york attended mahmoud abbas, president of palestinian national authority, un secretary-general, david miliband (foreign secretary of united kingdom), , condoleezza rice (us secretary of state), sides stated view of situation.

unrwa school incident

palestinian medics in gaza stated, , news agencies worldwide reported, 43 people killed in israeli strike on unrwa school. un clarified in february shells had struck outside school, not within compound. maxwell gaylord (the un humanitarian coordinator in jerusalem) said un clarify shelling , of fatalities took place outside , not inside school. john ging, unrwa s operations director in gaza stated had been misquoted jerusalem post , other newspapers saying shells had hit school, , unrwa s earliest report on 6 january correct in saying shells had hit outside it.

two tank shells exploded outside school, spraying shrapnel on people inside , outside building, @ least 350 palestinians had sought refuge fighting between israelis , palestinians. strike took place near al-fakhura school in jabaliya in northern gaza , third deadly israeli attack near united nations-run schools on 6 january.

the idf said mortars inside school fired @ israeli forces, , israeli soldiers responding them. idf stated bodies of militants found inside school afterwards. time magazine reported, idf gave names of 2 hamas combatants says killed inside school — imad , hassan abu askar — allegedly fired mortars. idf did not explain how able identify them among many casualties. troops did not visit school after attack, nor did idf have access casualty list gaza s hospitals. . nevertheless, col. moshe levi (head of idf s gaza coordination , liaison administration) said, in february 2009, 12 palestinians killed in incident - 9 hamas operatives , 3 noncombatants. hamas rejected claims of fire school, calling them baseless .

unrwa spokesperson christopher gunness stated idf later admitted in closed-door meetings fire responded outside school. noted un buildings had been fired upon displayed un flag, , un had provided gps coordinates of un schools sheltering civilians idf. days earlier gunness had said unrwa 99.9% there no terrorists or military activity in school, adding not contradict israel s claim militants operating close .

palestinian president mahmoud abbas said aide investigating option of bringing incident before international courts.

the day of attack, un requested inquiry both assault , israeli allegations terrorists firing schools. ban ki moon condemned attack, saying totally unacceptable.

7 january 2009

at least 12 palestinians killed in fresh strikes in gaza strip. @ least 15 rockets hit israel, causing no casualties.

following strikes, israel initiated three-hour humanitarian truce. israeli army refrained attacks 1 4 pm, though there reports of exchanges of fire between israeli forces , hamas during period. during temporary truce, 80 aid trucks allowed enter strip, of delivered industrial fuel gaza s power plant. access granted closed regions, allow residents access supplies. according israeli sources, planned repeat move daily. fighting resumed following end of truce.

despite parties’ agreement halt fighting during aid deliveries, un convoy fired upon, killing aid worker , wounding 2 others. israeli tank fire mentioned cause of incident, idf denied responsibility. soldiers contended hamas snipers had targeted aid workers. israeli medic said wounded saved israelis, while palestinian red crescent society denied , said had evacuated victims. jerusalem post wrote 2 wounded palestinians had gunshot wounds , hit hamas gunfire. while unrwa director acknowledged not absolutely attacks came idf forces, unrwa spokesman blamed israelis sending mixed contradicting messages result of incident, un briefly suspended aid shipments resumed them on 9 january after receiving assurances israel not being targeted.

8 january 2009

at least 2 dozen israeli airstrikes reported, in @ least 4 palestinians killed , @ least 22 wounded. un officials said @ least 1 driver in un aid convoy killed after convoy fired upon israeli forces. un said attack happened in spite of co-ordinating movements idf. subsequently said suspend relief activities in gaza until had received guarantees of safety of staff israel.

israel announced deaths of 3 soldiers: roi rosner, amit robinson, , omer rabinovitch, bringing total number of soldiers killed eight. israel claimed many hamas fighters killed.

three katyusha rockets lebanon territory fired @ northern israeli city of nahariyya. 2 civilians injured. idf returned fire @ launch sites in southern lebanon. no 1 claimed responsibility attack.

the united nations security council met , passed resolution stressing urgency of , calls immediate, durable , respected ceasefire, leading full withdrawal of israeli forces gaza , , welcoming egyptian initiative, among other points. while united states abstained on vote, condoleezza rice explained council u.s. thought important see outcomes of egyptian mediation efforts in order see resolution might have been supporting, after great deal of consideration, decided resolution -- text of support, goals of support , objectives of support -- should indeed allowed go forward.

the order abstain on resolution, u.s. diplomats had helped draft, reportedly came @ last minute president bush, following pressure israeli government, issued statement resolution not practical . in unusually public rebuke, israeli prime minister boasted of how had phoned president bush while bush in middle of speech, , how incident left rice pretty embarrassed .

9 january 2009

the israeli offensive continued, despite passing of un security resolution calling immediate , durable ceasefire.

israel dismissed security council resolution impractical : ehud olmert s office said more hamas rockets prove u.n. s decision not practical , not kept in practice palestinian murder organizations.

hamas objected not being consulted during drafting of resolution: nobody consulted hamas or talked hamas. nobody put hamas in picture , yet hamas required accept it. unacceptable, mohammed nazzal, senior hamas official based in syria, told al-arabiya television.

at least 30 rockets fired @ southern israel. hamas claimed have hit tel nof airbase, 27 kilometres (17 mi) tel aviv, which, if true, make farthest strike date. hamas announced mahmoud abbas term president had expired, , while not expect abbas step down while war continues in gaza, no longer recognize legitimacy. abbas responded still had year, citing law says presidential , parliamentary elections should held @ same time.

condoleezza rice said difficult protect civilians in place densely populated gaza — area 25 miles (40 km) long , 6 miles wide. un report on gaza noted borders closed, making 1 of rare conflicts civilians have no place flee.

a three-hour truce took place on 9 january. palestinians fired 3 grad-type rockets @ ashdod, shortly after 1 pm, truce s start-time. while supplies being transferred through kerem shalom border crossing, palestinians fired several mortar shells @ terminal. no casualties reported.

the un said aid workers resume movement, having received assurances israel not being targeted.

at around 23:00, israeli drone destroyed norwegian people s aid (npa) car marked npa logo, outside home of npa employee, mahmoud hamada, @ al-shati refugee camp in northern gaza. nobody injured. surrounding buildings severely damaged. secretary-general of npa, petter eide, said there no military targets in area. raymond johansen of norwegian ministry of foreign affairs stated incident clear violation of international law.

10 january 2009

no rockets fired israel overnight, sharp drop dozens of projectiles launched in days of offensive; during morning, 3 rockets struck southern city of ashkelon, lightly wounding 2 people. 6 additional rockets landed in open areas, no casualties.

the israeli military said in gaza had killed more 15 terrorists , idf aircraft had attacked more 40 targets throughout gaza striking ten rocket-launching sites, weapons-storage facilities, smuggling tunnels, anti-aircraft missile launcher , gunmen. although palestinian hospital officials confirm 4 deaths stated fighting has hindered paramedics collecting bodies , treating wounded. palestinian medical officials said 8 people killed israeli tank fire saturday in town of jebailiya , dead appeared civilians per paramedics on scene.

the israeli military said halt fire in gaza 3 hours on saturday allow territory s besieged residents leave homes , stock on supplies. medics use lull rescue casualties in areas of fighting, , aid groups rush through food distribution.

the palestinian authority president urged both israel , hamas agree egypt-brokered truce saturday, singled out israel, saying responsible waterfall of blood if didn t accept deal.

on 10 january idf stated hamas fighters suffering exhaustion. idf military commander said hamas militants beginning desert battle , refuse orders. israeli military claims hamas younger operatives refused venture outside lob mortars against israeli forces, prompting senior hamas leader, amir mansi, operate mortar himself. after idf soldiers identified source of fire, shot , killed mansi, wounding 2 others involved in attack. amir mansi has been reported expert in grad rocket launching program, having been trained hezbollah. also, idf stated more 300 hamas fighters have been killed far in operation, highest estimate far, , @ least 120 have been captured. according reports, entire hamas companies have been eliminated israeli forces. senior israeli officer said complete battalions have been erased , adding hamas fighters afraid come out fight, many going awol , abandoning battlefield.

11 january 2009

phosphorus cluster bombs dropped on populated areas on 11 january

the iaf attacked overnight mosque in town of rafah, according israel being used hamas training camp, meeting place , weapons cache. idf reported mosque contained machine-guns , anti-aircraft missiles.

israeli , palestinian officials report @ least 40 hamas gunmen killed in battle idf soldiers in gaza city neighborhood of sheikh ajalin. according reports, hamas , islamic jihad terrorists ambushed idf forces in sheikh ajalin, led of heaviest fighting since phase 2 of operation began. palestinians reported 4 people had been killed in northern town of beit lahiya. idf reported hitting dozens of gunmen across gaza strip on 10 january , 11. additionally, iaf reported hamas operatives have tried shoot down iaf fixed wing aircraft anti-aircraft missiles first time since operation in gaza begun.

two rockets landed in city of beersheba, half hour before city s high schools reopen after being closed more 10 days. 65% of beersheba s 11 , 12th graders (about 2.700 students) return school , study in bomb shelters.

two terrorists , woman killed israeli strikes in southern gaza strip. dozens injured in attacks near village of khouza east of khan younis. palestinian medics in area said injured suffered burns , gas inhalations, symptoms indicating exposure white phosphorus. israel rejected claim.

there have been rumors circulating in egyptian media iaf strikes have wounded captive israeli soldier gilad shalit. spokesman of hamas politburo, moussa abu marzuk, said shalit s condition no longer concern hamas. israeli defense ministry official dismissed comments psychological warfare . vice premier haim ramon in interview army radio added hamas using shalit bargaining chip hoping release of hundreds of palestinian prisoners in exchange captured soldier.

on 11 january, idf started deploy thousands of reservists gaza strip first time since israeli offensive against hamas begun 16 days ago. israeli government announced had approved tens of thousands of call-ups of reserve forces before ground operation started on 3 january. troops have been refreshing on urban training since then, , bulk of fighting has been done golani , givati brigades. analysts comment suggests israel intensifying military efforts against hamas.

an israeli patrol came under fire on syrian border on sunday. soldiers did not return fire , no casualties reported, although vehicle traveling in sustained damage. idf assessed syrian army not involved, believing palestinians protesting gaza operation. second cross-border attack in 3 days after 3 katyusha rockets fired northern israel on 8 january lebanon. israel filed complaint undof in syria sent team investigate reports.

the idf reported had uncovered explosive device rigged timer hidden in palestinian school. fuse attached explosives extended zoo located dozens of yards away. soldiers managed neutralize bomb before went off. according idf, numerous weapons, including rpg launchers, grenades , ak-47 assault rifles found inside school.

in afternoon, during humanitarian corridor - time in israeli army holds fire , allows civilians in gaza receive aid - hamas terrorists fired several rocket barrages. rocket fired northern gaza strip hit wall surrounding kindergarten in ashdod. there no reports of damage or injury, few people treated shock. other rockets fired @ ashkelon, sderot, kiryat malachi, , eshkol regional council.

12 january 2009

on 12 january, 4 israeli paratroopers wounded in northern gaza. unit of israeli paratroopers discovered hamas tunnel, , shot , killed female would-be suicide bomber. israeli ground troops , aircraft targeted on 25 hamas sites, including tunnels , weapons caches, killing 4 hamas fighters , 5 civilians. israeli forces continued advance, reports of fierce fighting around gaza city. airstrikes continued across strip.

on 12 january, idf reported had started deploying reserve forces in gaza.

the idf reported on 12 january 4 soldiers wounded, 1 seriously. troops part of paratrooper unit operating in northern gaza. military said launched inquiry whether incident caused friendly fire. according previous reports friendly fire has far killed 4 soldiers in separate incidents on 5 january. hamas armed wing, ezzedine al-qassam brigade, claimed have destroyed 2 israeli tanks in gaza city neighborhood of zeitun, , killed many soldiers in town of khuz a, near israeli border. israeli army refuted these claims.

another paratrooper unit discovered , destroyed tunnel in gaza that, according idf, meant transfer suicide bombers israel. tunnel found 300 meters fence on border israel. reported soldiers shot , killed female would-be suicide bomber. during day military, backed iaf, targeted on 25 sites on monday, including tunnels , weapon caches, killing 9 palestinians, 5 of whom, according palestinian officials, civilians.

us president george w. bush threw support behind israel once more on 12 january. president quoted saying believes sustainable ceasefire achieved if hamas stops firing rockets @ israel , solely hamas choice make. reiterated israel s right defend herself hoped continued mindful of innocent folk , humanitarian aid transfer gaza. meanwhile, reported hamas raided on 100 trucks humanitarian aid meant civilians , sold highest bidder. israeli forces stopped several attempts smuggle prohibited goods israel, namely electronics, since defense minister ehud barak said not classify humanitarian aid. israel still allows repair items flow gaza repair damaged electric grid.

israel considering establishing field hospital outside of gaza strip facilitate medical aid palestinians civilians wounded in conflict between israel , hamas. under plan, israel considering bringing facility inside palestinian territory make more accessible palestinians seeking treatment. hospital run idf medical corps. throughout conflict, idf has allowed passage of on 900 trucks , facilitated transfer of on 20,000 tons of basic food , supplies.

as palestinian death toll exceeded 900, in statement idf said believes 400 of known hamas fighters, adding significant number hamas operatives in remaining 500 dead.

13 january 2009

israel s land, sea , air bombardment continues 18th day, shelling , air raids hitting gaza city, rafah , elsewhere. israel s military says hit 60 targets overnight. ground troops advance southern , eastern suburbs of gaza city. israeli military says officer , 2 soldiers injured explosion in booby-trapped house in northern gaza strip.

an unidentified gunman opened fire @ israeli border guard patrol jordanian side of border north of eilat tuesday morning. border guards returned fire. no 1 injured in incident, first such shooting in more decade.

14 january 2009

israel s bombardment continues 19th day, overnight air raids on 60 targets, including 35 weapons-smuggling tunnels on border egypt , unknown number of rocket-launching sites. 1 air strike damages cemetery in gaza city. israel targeted lebanese border. israeli troops counterattacked. no casualties reported on either side. message, allegedly osama bin laden, released declaring jihad on israel.

15 january 2009

israeli tanks , troops advance deep gaza city after intense bombardment in hours, sending hundreds of terrified civilians streets try flee fighting. tonnes of aid go in flames after israeli artillery shells hit un compound. quds hospital evacuated because of fire caused tank shell. un secretary general ban ki-moon meets israeli leaders push ceasefire. says death toll, put @ 1,100 gaza medical officials, has reached unbearable point .

two rockets fired gaza militants on thursday hit er sheva, wounding 5 people, including 7-year-old boy hurt. 1 of rockets landed directly on car.

in battle near jebaliya, idf soldier killed , severely wounded. iaf attacked on 15 sites, including rocket-launching sites , squads, gunmen, , smuggling tunnel. idf said 40 hamas operatives have been killed overnight.

three senior members of hamas, said seyam, hamas interior minister , brother ayad seyam , unidentified person killed in iaf strike on ayad seyam s house. 20 other people reportedly injured in same strike. palestinian sources said head of islamist terrorist group s security apparatus, salah abu shreh, , military commander in gaza city, mahmoud watfah, killed in attack. hamas, despite truce proposal, vowed revenge assassination of seyam, 1 of masterminds of 2007 coup against ruling party, fatah , number 3 sought hamas leader after ismail haniyeh , mahmoud zahar. shin bet security agency, israeli equivalent of fbi, responsible intelligence leading airstrike killed seyam.

it reported several people, journalist , doctors israeli army fired upon unrwa compound, schools, ambulances, hospitals , media offices. in response this, ban ki-moon, un secretary general, has started protest.

16 january 2009

the bodies of 23 palestinians pulled rubble in tel al-hawa district of gaza city after israeli tanks withdraw in pre-dawn hours. palestinian medics @ least 1,155 palestinians have died on past 3 weeks.

palestinian militants in gaza strip on friday, 16 january, fired on 15 rockets @ southern israel, leaving 5 israelis wounded: pregnant woman hospitalized in ashkelon after home suffered direct hit rocket; 2 wounded in ashdod - 1 moderately , other lightly; earlier 3 israelis sustained light wounds when 2 grad rockets struck southern town of kiryat gat; 5 rockets exploded in eshkol region in morning.

17 january 2009

more 50 air strikes carried out in gaza overnight, ahead of expected vote israel s cabinet on proposal ceasefire. heavy explosions echoed south of gaza city.

united nations officials 2 children, aged 5 , seven, killed when israeli tank fire hit un school hundreds had taken shelter in northern town of beit lahiya. un spokesman, chris gunness, said investigation ought held determine whether war crime has been committed . israeli foreign ministry spokesman yigal palmor rejected call, saying: there s not slightest piece of evidence support such allegations.

18 january 2009

israel implemented unilateral cease-fire sunday , in announcing cease-fire late saturday, prime minister ehud olmert said israel had achieved goals , more, stating hamas hit hard, in military arms , in government institutions. leaders in hiding , many of men have been killed. according olmert s statement, cease-fire went effect @ 2 a.m. local time (00.00 gmt) idf warning attacks on soldiers or civilians met harsh response. if hamas holds fire, military weigh pulling out of gaza @ time befits us, olmert said. if not, israel continue act defend our residents.

the first death after cease-fire palestinian farmer shot dead israeli soldier while checking farm in khan younis, on 18 january morning. israeli army said shot farmer because approaching land occupied @ moment israeli ground troops.

hamas fired ten rockets southern israel, israel responded airstrikes.

hamas made televised announcement of ceasefire issuing own demands of israeli withdrawal within week, reopen gaza border crossings, , provide aid.

20 january 2009

on tuesday afternoon, gaza gunmen fired @ idf patrols in 2 separate incidents near kissufim border crossing, in central gaza, , in southern gaza - idf returned fire. no 1 wounded , no significant damage reported. also, 8 mortar shells fired central gaza strip. shells apparently landed in palestinian areas. iaf targeted , hit 1 of mortar launchers. shelling of mortars continued tuesday night , 3-4 shells fired @ eshkol regional council. no casualties reported. on same day, palestinian farmer shot dead idf while approaching farm in jabalia , 2 children killed in explosion of israeli bomb left behind in gaza city.

21 january 2009

early in day, israel said had completed troop pull-out gaza.

22 january 2009

in wake of conflict, hamas accused rival palestinian faction fatah of spying israel. fatah denied spying on hamas israel, , party leaders said thursday @ least 175 of members had been rounded , tortured in recent days.