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

Prelude

On 19 December 2008 a fragile six-month Israel-Hamas ceasefire was due to expire. Following Israel's violation of the ceasefire on 4 November when 6 Palestinians were killed during an IDF incursion into Gaza, there were sporadic violent clashes along the Israeli-Gaza border, together with a progressive tightening of the Israeli blockade which had been in place since 2000. On 18 December, with a surge in cross-border fighting, Hamas confirmed the end of the ceasefire, and indicated its refusal to renew it absent an Israeli commitment to abide by its conditions.

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.