Gaza War (2008–09)

Operation 'Cast Lead' - The name assigned by the Israeli military to its 22 day offensive against the Gaza Strip that began on 27 December 2008.

White phosphorous shells explode over Gaza City. January 2009

White phosphorous munitions exploding over Gaza City December 2009 - Press TV

Background

In 2006 an election held in both parts of Palestine (ie Gaza and the West Bank) was won by Hamas, the electoral wing of an Islamist party once noted for suicide bombings. These had ceased in 2005 and . With Israeli supplied arms (including armoured cars) a putsch was attempted against this new government by the losers, the party of Fatah. All elected and many other members of Hamas were rounded up in the West Bank but Hamas members fought off the coup in Gaza and remained in a form of control. Hamas was declared a terrrorist organisation by most of the Western world.

Gaza, from which all the settlers had been withdrawn in 2005, became a hub of militancy from which considerable numbers of home-made rockets were launched into Israel causing occasional casualties. Sporadic control was sometimes exerted by the new (but largely unfunded) government of Hamas while at other times launches were made in its name.

Rocket/mortars on Israel 2008.
Average 380/month drops to 3/month in Sept/Oct.

On 19th June 2008 an Egyptian-brokered truce came into effect between Gaza and Israel, though with no mutually agreed text. Israel killed another Palestinian (allegedly preparing to fire a rocket) minutes before the cease-fire came into effect. Israel warned that even a single rocket firing would be considered a violation and they would hold Hamas responsible. There must also be movement towards the release of Gilad Shalit.

Gazans understood that, after two weeks of success, Israel would open the crossings and allow normal transfer of goods. Hamas agreed that for its part it would stop rocket attacks from its own armed groups and from others based in Gaza, including Islamic Jihad and Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades.

Hamas imposed its will and imprisoned some of those firing rockets/mortars for short periods. While counts vary somewhat (eg 30 reaching Israel in 4.5 months), all observers agree that the number of firings plummeted from an average of around 380/month in early 2008 to 10s of projectiles in July and August and single figures in September & October combined.

Goods shipments increased by 25% or so but remained at less than 1/5th of what Gazans considered normal. The UN recorded seven IDF violations of the ceasefire between June 20 and June 26, and three violations by Palestinian groups not affiliated with Hamas between June 23 and 26.

On 4 November 2008 Israel entered Gaza and killed 6 Palestinians and there was retaliatiatory firing of 190 rockets in that month. However, on the expiry of the formal cease-fire on 19th Dec 2008, most sources expected it to be renewed.

The Israeli Assault on Gaza

On 27 December Israel began a wave of airstrikes against targets within the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of stopping rocket fire. Israeli forces attacked military targets, police stations and government buildings. There was also significant so-called 'collateral damage' though its extent calls that description into serious question. In response, Hamas intensified its rocket and mortar attacks against Southern Israel, reaching the major cities of Beersheba and Ashdod for the first time. An Israeli ground invasion began on January 3, 2009. The war ended on 18 January when Israel declared a unilateral ceasefire followed 12 hours later by Hamas announcing a one-week ceasefire. Israel completed its withdrawal on January 21.

The Aftermath

The invasion left 1,500 Palestinians dead. 13 Israelis were killed - mostly by 'friendly fire'. Tens of thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed as were 15 of Gaza’s 27 hospitals and 43 of its 110 primary health care facilities, 800 water wells, 186 greenhouses, and 10,000 family farms. About half a million people were left without running water and one million without electricity.

Western MSM Coverage of the Conflict

Coverage in the Western mainstream media was, as always in matters involving Israel, appallingly one-sided with the Israeli version of what was happening and why uniformly portrayed as 'understandable' where not sycophantically supportive - the BBC being first among equals in this respect. John Pilgers article 'Gaza Under Fire' , published in The New Statesman on 8th January at the height of the Israeli military offensive was an exceptional beacon in the dark. It put matters in the historical perspective of 60 years of Zionist expansion, dispossession and systematic persecution of its indigenous population and lampooned the sycophancy of the Western main-stream media towards the Zionist State with laser accuracy.

Amnesty International Report

In February 2009, Amnesty International published a report entitled "Fueling Conflict: Foreign arms supplies to Israel/Gaza . In company with the Later Goldstone Report (see below), it is commendable for its even-handedness in criticizing both sides. Likewise, in the disparities it reveals. Disparities in quantity, quality, technical sophistication and destructive power is confirmed as absolutely overwhelmingly on the side of Israel, as is the firepower actually used and the damage and death tolls resulting. That start vulgarity 'farting against thunder' sums the matter up accurately.

Human Rights Watch Report on the use of white phosphorous munitions

In March 2009, Human Rights Watch published a damning report on the extensive use of white phosphorous munitions by the Israeli forces during Operation Cast lead. Titled 'Rain of Fire - Israel's unlawful use of white phosphorous in Gaza , it is notable for dramatic pictures of trails of white phosphorous raining down on fleeing civilians.

The UN Commissioned 'Goldstone Report

In September 2009, a UN special mission, headed by Justice Richard Goldstone, produced a report accusing both Palestinian militants and Israeli Defense Forces of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, and recommended bringing those responsible to justice. Israel has rejected the report out of hand. The UN Human Rights Council has endorsed the report with heavy criticism of Israel.

As of June 2010, the Wikipedia main article is a substantial reference source on this subject but it is marked as having suspect neutrality. If the Israeli Hasbara has its way (and it usually does), this article is likely to be substantially altered over time.