2008-2012

• Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hamas, but Israeli soldiers raided Gaza to kill Hamas militants in November 2008.
• Israel launched Operation Cast Lead.
  • The operation was a week long assault on Gaza that involved ground invasions as well as aerial bombing. 
  • About 1,000 Palestinians and 12 Israelis died.
  • It caused damage to housing, businesses and electrical infrastructure in Gaza.
• U.N. officials said that Israeli military committed war crimes and crimes against humanity by using white phosphorus in populated areas and intentionally targeting civilians. The U.N. also said Palestinian militants committed war crimes by shooting rockets at Israeli civilians.
• In 2011, Shalit was released from Gaza after he was exchanged for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
• In 2012, after more Hamas rockets were launched from Gaza to Israel, Israel responded with an eight-day air strike that killed Ahmed al-Jabari, the head of Hamas’ military wing.
  • Around 180 people died in the fighting. 
  • The U.N. found that both sides committed war crimes.
  • Egypt helped negotiate a ceasefire that did not last.