The current flair up in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas is tragic.  Tragic in many ways and for many reasons.  No matter what your personal political perspective on the current conflict, you have to admit that the on going rocket attacks against civilian targets in Israel had to be stopped.  The Arab world, specifically Egypt, has gone to great lengths to try and broker a peace and get Hamas to stop firing their Iranian Qassam rockets into Israeli cities.

The other tragedy is that the Hamas militants hide in civilian populations, wear civilian clothing, use schools, mosques and private homes as weapons caches and bomb factories.  In much of the video released from the conflict, secondary explosions can be seen from many of the structures hit by Israel.  The Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) clearly demonstrates arms caches being destroyed.  So far over 800 Gaza residents have died in the fighting, less than half have been identified as combatants. This is one of the gravest tragedies of the on going conflict, but it does not justify the brutal global attack on Israel. No country, aside from Israel, would be asked to tollerate an ongoing rocket barage against civilian populations.



The charges of trying to commit a genocide against the Palestinian people is a gross distortion of the facts.  Israel is going above and beyond normal military protocols to avoid civilian casualties whenever possible.  If the Israelis truly had in mind the sole goal of killing as many Palestinians as possible, they would not be using precision bombing, dropping leaflets warning of attacks, dialing homes in targeted regions to warn civilians of impending strikes or placing a single condition on the cessation of hostilities: stop the rocket attacks on southern Israel.  Look at the West Bank, the Palistinians are doing well, living in relative prosperity and not under any threat of "genocide" or persecution.

December 19, 2008:

• Six-month Israeli-Hamas ceasefire expires.

December 24, 2008:

• Hamas launches 70 rockets, a significant increase from the 15 to 20 rockets a month during the fall (El-Khodary, Taghreed and Ethan Bronner. “Israelis Say Strikes Against Hamas Will Continue.” New York Times. 27 December 2008).
• Israel responds by killing a Hamas gunman in an air strike (al-Mughrabi, Nidal. “Flare-up dims truce hopes along Israel-Gaza border.” Reuters. 24 December 2008.)

 

December 26, 2008:

• Israel re-opens border crossings with Gaza to allow as many as 100 trucks carrying humanitarian cargo across the border (“Israel Reopens Border Crossings.” New York Times / Reuters. 26 December 2008.)

 

December 27, 2008:

• Israel begins its assault by bombing over 40 security compounds, killing up to 229 Palestinians and wounding 700. (“Israel kills scores in Gaza air strikes.” Reuters. 27 December 2008).
• “The Israeli attacks on Saturday focused on Hamas military and public security installations, including a police graduation ceremony, an intelligence headquarters and a training base of Hamas' Al- Qassam brigades.” (Mitnick, Joshua and Charles Levinson. “Israel Strikes on Gaza Kill Scores.” Wall Street Journal. 28 December 2008).
• The Israeli attack took place in only three to five minutes. (Harel, Amos. “Analysis: IAF strike on Gaza is Israel’s version of ‘shock and awe’”. Ha’aretz. 27 December 2008).
• Hamas responded with over 80 attacks using Qassams, Katyushas, and mortar shells (Katz, Yaakov. “230 dead in 1st day.” Jerusalem Post. 27 December 2008).

 

December 28, 2008:

• Israeli jets hit Islamic University of Gaza, security compound, mosque, smugglers’ tunnels between Egypt and Palestine - destroying 40 tunnels, and a TV station, bringing Palestinian death toll to 300. (Witte, Griff. “Israel mounts Third Day of Raids,“ Washington Post. 29 December 2008). The destruction of Hamas’ main security compound killed 4, and the destruction of the mosque killed 2 (“At least 280 Palestinians killed as Israeli strikes on Gaza continue.” Voice of America. 28 December 2008.) Al-Aqsa was the television station destroyed (“Israel resumes Gaza bombardment.”)
• Israel claims to have destroyed up to 210 targets to this point (Witte, Griff. “Israel mounts Third Day of Raids,“ Washington Post. 29 December 2008).
• Israel calls up 6500 reservists for potential troop invasion (Witte, Griff. “Israel mounts Third Day of Raids,“ Washington Post. 29 December 2008).
• Hamas launches 20 Katyushas deep into Israeli territory (Witte, Griff. “Israel mounts Third Day of Raids,“ Washington Post. 29 December 2008).
• Death toll reached 230 at mid-day (Mitnick, Joshua and Charles Levinson. “Israel Strikes on Gaza Kill Scores.” Wall Street Journal. 28 December 2008). However, it should be noted that these death numbers come from Hamas officials and thus should be considered slanted.
• Egypt closes Gaza border late on Sunday after nearly 200 Palestinians attempt to cross; Egypt has 46 Gazans in custody. (“Palestinian wounded finally pass through Egypt Crossing.” Agence France Presse. 29 December 2008).
• “Meanwhile, hundreds of IDF infantry and armored corps troops headed for Gaza border early Sunday in preparation for a possible ground invasion, according to Israeli military officials.
• Also on Sunday, local news service Ynet reported that IDF deployed an artillery battery opposite Gaza for the first time in a year.” (Xu Gang. “Israeli Army Continuing Preparations for Possible Gaza Ground Incursion.” Xinhua. 28 December 2008.)

 

December 29, 2008:

• Hamas fires up to 80 rockets (Harel, Amos and Avi Issacharoff. “Analysis: Hamas is hoping for an IDF ground operation in Gaza.” Ha’aretz. 30 December 2008), hitting Ashkelon and Sderot, and as far as Yavne, Ofakim, and Ashdod. (“Attacks from the Gaza Strip reach as far as Yavne, Ofakim.” Jerusalem Post. 28 December 2008.) Qassam rockets have struck Ashkelon and Sderot in the past.
• Israel has struck 280 targets and flown 300 sorties since beginning of Operation Cast Lead on Saturday (Katz, Yaakov and Khaled Abu Toameh. “Hamas chief of staff may be dead.” Jerusalem Post. 29 December 2008).
• Israel may have killed the Hamas chief of staff Ja’abri (Katz, Yaakov and Khaled Abu Toameh. “Hamas chief of staff may be dead.” Jerusalem Post. 29 December 2008).
• Human rights activists report as few as 45-60 civilian casualties throughout the whole operation. (Katz, Yaakov and Khaled Abu Toameh. “Hamas chief of staff may be dead.” Jerusalem Post. 29 December 2008).
• Egypt permits wounded Palestinians to cross. (“Palestinian wounded finally pass through Egypt Crossing.” Agence France Presse. 29 December 2008).

 

December 30, 2008:

•  Khaled Meshaal has called for a ceasefire for two days now (Harel, Amos and Avi Issacharoff. “Analysis: Hamas is hoping for an IDF ground operation in Gaza.” Ha’aretz. 30 December 2008).
• Poor weather has begun to hamper IAF operations (Harel, Amos and Avi Issacharoff. “Analysis: Hamas is hoping for an IDF ground operation in Gaza.” Ha’aretz. 30 December 2008).
• Civilian casualties may increase, however, as Israel widens its target list to include “anything affiliated with Hamas.” (Witte, Griff. and Sudarsan Raghavan. “Israel Rejects Truce, Presses on with Gaza Strikes.” Washington Post. 30 December 2008.)
•  IAF strikes have now hit as many as 390 targets (Katz, Yaakov. “Airstrikes target Gaza City, Khan Yunis.” Jerusalem Post. 30 December 2008).
• Israeli patrol boat collides with humanitarian aid vessel attempting to deliver supplies. Former Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney is also on the boat. (“Israeli patrol boat collides with aid ship off Gaza.” Agence France Presse. 30 December 2008).
• Egypt refuses to wholly open its border with Israel, insisting it will only do so if Mahmoud Abbas and the PA control the border. (“Egypt refuses full opening of Gaza crossing.” AP. 30 December 2008.)
• More Israeli troops move to the border: “Convoys of trucks, tanks and armoured personnel carriers streamed toward the border area Tuesday.” (McNabb, Lauren. “Israel considers Gaza truce; But forces continue to gather and war planes hit targets.” Canwest News Service. 31 December 2008.)
• December 31
• Israel rejects a 48-hour ceasefire with Hamas. (“Israel Rejects Immediate Cease-fire with Hamas.” VOA News. 31 December 2008).
• “The IDF believes that about two thirds of Hamas' underground rocket launch sites in the northern Gaza Strip were destroyed in the first round of Air Force sorties, on Saturday.” (Harel, Amos. “IAF bombs Gaza mosque being used as weapons storehouse.” Ha’aretz. 31 December 2008)
• A total of 9010 reservists have now been called up. “Defense Minister Ehud Barak asked the cabinet Tuesday night to approve the mobilization of an additional 2,510 reserve forces soldiers by means of an emergency call-up order (Tzav Shmoneh).” (Harel, Amos. “IAF bombs Gaza mosque being used as weapons storehouse.” Ha’aretz. 31 December 2008)
• 394 Palestinians are dead as of mid-day December 31 2008. (“Hamas defiant as Israel rejects Gaza truce.” Agence France Presse. 31 December 2008).

 

January 1, 2009:

• Key Hamas leader Nizar Rayan killed in IAF strike that kills family and children (Abu Toameh, Khaled. “No tears for Hamas leader in Ramallah.” Jerusalem Post. 1 January 2009.) (Katz, Yaakov. “IAF strikes 35 targets in Gaza Strip.” Jerusalem Post. 2 January 2009.)
• Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Abdul Gheit says Hamas must stop rocket attacks before ceasefire can occur (“Egypt: Hamas must halt attacks for truce.” Jerusalem Post. 1 January 2009.)
• Gaza militants fire 40 rockets into Israel during the day on Thursday (“Israel kills third Hamas leader since start of Gaza offensive.” Ha’aretz. 3 January 2009.)

 
January 2, 2009:

• IAF strikes 35 targets in Gaza, including the homes of a dozen Hamas operatives, including Imad Akel. A Gaza airstrip is also hit and strikes on smuggling tunnels continue. The IAF also targets a mosque used for weapons storage in the Jabalaya refugee camp, where Rayan also resided. (Katz, Yaakov. “IAF strikes 35 targets in Gaza Strip.” Jerusalem Post. 2 January 2009.)
• Khaled Meshaal threatens to kidnap more Israeli soldiers (“Hamas: Israel faces more abducted soldiers if it invades Gaza.” Ha’aretz. 3 January 2009)
• At least 426 Palestinians killed and 2000 wounded as of the end of the day. (“Hamas: Israel faces more abducted soldiers if it invades Gaza.” Ha’aretz. 3 January 2009.)
• Israel allowed 300 Palestinian who held foreign passports to flee, clearing the way for a ground operation. (Katz, Yaakov. “Israel allows foreigners to flee Gaza Strip.” Jerusalem Post. 2 January 2009.)
• Dissention occurs among Fatah members in Gaza as some criticize Fatah leadership for lackluster support to Hamas. (Abu Toameh, Khaled. “Fatah: Let us help you fight Israel in Gaza.” Jerusalem Post. 2 January 2009.)

 

January 3, 2009:

• Israel begins limited ground operation.
• IAF hits targets again throughout day (“Israel kills third Hamas leader since start of Gaza offensive.” Ha’aretz. 3 January 2009.) Targets include:
• Two Hamas militants in Khan Yunis in south Gaza (“At least 4 Palestinians killed in Israeli ground assault.” CNN.com. 4 January 2009.)
• House of Azadin Hadad, Hamas commander in eastern Gaza City. (“At least 4 Palestinians killed in Israeli ground assault.” CNN.com. 4 January 2009.)
• House of Ismail Renma in Beit Lahiya, who played key role in launching rockets. (“At least 4 Palestinians killed in Israeli ground assault.” CNN.com. 4 January 2009.)
• 25 Hamas “outposts, training camps, and rocket sites.” (“At least 4 Palestinians killed in Israeli ground assault.” CNN.com. 4 January 2009.)
• A mosque in Beit Lahiya, killing 13-14 and wounding 37-60. (“At least 4 Palestinians killed in Israeli ground assault.” CNN.com. 4 January 2009.) CNN claimed 13 and 60, the Jerusalem Post 14 killed and 37 wounded. (Katz, Yaakov. “30 IDF soldiers wounded as troops engage Hamas gunmen.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.) The Los Angeles Times claimed 13 were killed and 33 were wounded. (Bordreaux, Richard. “Gaza Israel launches ground assault into Gaza.” Los Angeles Times. 4 January 2009.)
• The American International School in Gaza, which teaches an English curriculum. (Katz, Yaakov. “30 IDF soldiers wounded as troops engage Hamas gunmen.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.)
• Abu Zakaria al-Jamal, senior Hamas military commander, died of wounds sustained on January 2. (“Israel kills third Hamas leader since start of Gaza offensive.” Ha’aretz. 3 January 2009.) Probably also known as Azkariah al-Jamal and apparently in charge of Hamas’ rocket brigades. (“At least 4 Palestinians killed in Israeli ground assault.” CNN.com. 4 January 2009.)
• Hamas fired 20-40 rockets in southern Israel, hitting Ashkelon, Ashdod, Eshkol, Netivot, Gan Yavne, Kiryat Malachi, and Sha’ar Hanegev (“At least 4 Palestinians killed in Israeli ground assault.” CNN.com. 4 January 2009.) CNN claimed 20, the Jerusalem Post claimed 40: “At least 40 Kassam and Katyusha rockets pounded the South, scoring direct hits on homes in Netivot and Ashdod, and striking Ashkelon, Yavne and Sderot.” (Katz, Yaakov. “30 IDF soldiers wounded as troops engage Hamas gunmen.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.) Source for rocket attacks beyond Ashkelon and Ashdod: (Lappin, Yaakov. “4 hurt as rockets hit buildings in South.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.)
• The UN Security Council calls emergency session to discuss Gaza situation; US blocks resolution, claiming Hamas will not abide by any further statements from the UNSC.

 

January 4, 2009:

• Israel invaded Gaza, entering Bayt Hanoun, and advancing towards Bayt Lahiya, Gaza City, Sudaniyah, and Jabaliya. As of noon US Eastern Time January 4, it is unclear whether Israeli troops have entered Jabaliya and Gaza City or if troops have held outside these large population centers to avoid engaging Hamas in potentially costly urban warfare. (CNN International TV. 4 January 2009.; “Israeli troops enter Gaza.” BBC. 4 January 2009.) Israeli troops apparently approached Sudaniyah throughout the night and entered Bayt Hanoun. (Colvin, Marie. “Battles rage between Israeli ground troops and Hamas.” The Times (UK). 4 January 2009.)
• “Meanwhile, the IDF bombed some 45 Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip overnight, including seven tunnels, several mortar firing cells and Kassam rocket launching cells. Dozens of Hamas gunmen were reported killed by IDF troops. “30 IDF soldiers wounded as troops engage Hamas gunmen.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.)
• “Thousands” of troops entered Gaza: “Soldiers from the Armored Corps, Engineering Corps, and Paratroopers, Givati, Golani brigades were participating in the fighting, with at least four brigades' worth of troops inside the Gaza Strip.” (Katz, Yaakov. “30 IDF soldiers wounded as troops engage Hamas gunmen.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.)
• Israeli special forces units Shaldag (Kingfisher) and Duvdevan (Cherry) were hunting down Hamas leadership inside Gaza. (Colvin, Marie. “Battles rage between Israeli ground troops and Hamas.” The Times (UK). 4 January 2009.)
• Artillery fire, increasing at 4pm January 3 Israeli time, preceded the assault. (Katz, Yaakov. “Soldiers on the Gaza border. “We know what we’re doing.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.)
• “Hundreds of tanks” entered Gaza. (CNN International TV. 4 January 2009.)
• Sources conflict on whether Israel entered into Jabaliya – some claim Israel is avoiding large refugee camps. (CNN International TV. 4 January 2009.)
• One IDF soldier died the morning of January 4 from wounds incurred during a mortar attack near Jabaliya on the evening of January 3. (Katz, Yaakov. “Another in critical condition after clash with Hamas gunmen.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.)
• 33 soldiers were wounded, including 2 seriously, in the initial assault (Katz, Yaakov. “30 IDF soldiers wounded as troops engage Hamas gunmen.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.) The Israeli casualty number comes from the IDF and Ha’aretz confirms it. Palestinian sources claim 4 Palestinians have been killed. (CNN International TV. 4 January 2009.) (Katz, Yaakov. “Another in critical condition after clash with Hamas gunmen.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.)
• Gun battles in Gaza City were heard overnight (Bordreaux, Richard. “Gaza Israel launches ground assault into Gaza.” Los Angeles Times. 4 January 2009.)
• Israeli forces have encountered mortars, IEDs, and kidnap attempts. (Amanpour, Christiane. CNN TV. 4 January 2009.)
• 150 tanks arrived in the area of the former Israeli settlement of Netzarim; Israel appeared to cut the Gaza Strip in 2. (Katz, Yaakov. “Palestinians: IDF divides Gaza Strip into several segments.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.)
• Israeli tanks and troops reportedly reached the outskirts of Gaza City; unnamed defense officials have said that Israel will not enter refugee camps or large cities. (Katz, Yaakov. “Palestinians: IDF divides Gaza Strip into several segments.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.)
• An IAF strike killed two senior Hamas leaders: Muhammad Hilo, in charge of the special forces in Khan Yunis, and Hussam Hamdan, who directed rocket launches into Beersheba and Ofakim. (Katz, Yaakov. “Another in critical condition after clash with Hamas gunmen.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.
• Hamas draws much of its political support from the targeted northern areas; it holds 5 of the 8 seats in Gaza City, all five seats in Jabalaya, as well as 3 of 5 seats from the southern city of Khan Yunis. (“Analysis: Hamas could not be deterred.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.)
• The Israeli navy has enforced a blockade 20 miles out from the Gaza shore. (Bordreaux, Richard. “Gaza Israel launches ground assault into Gaza.” Los Angeles Times. 4 January 2009.)
• Hamas fired 36 rockets on the morning of January 4, hitting Sderot with 3 rockets, Netivot with 2 rockets, and 2 more in Eshkol. 6 Israelis were hurt as a result of these attacks. (Lappin, Yaakov. “4 hurt as rockets hit buildings in South.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.) (“6 hurt as 36 rockets, shells hit South.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.)
• Hamas spokesmen threatened Israel on Saturday night: Ismail Radwan said Gaza would become “a graveyard” for Israel and a spokesman for the Kassam brigades said “Israel will pay a heavy price.” (“’Gaza will become graveyard for troops.’” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.)
• Up to 500 rockets have been fired against Israel since the beginning of the conflict (“Invading Israeli troops battle Hamas.” Agence France Presse. 4 January 2009.)
• Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin said some Hamas leaders were now less willing to continue fighting. (“Gov’t: We have no intention of taking over Gaza Strip.” Jerusalem Post. 4 January 2009.)
• According to Israeli military intelligence, Israel has destroyed one-third of Hamas’ rocket arsenal since the beginning of the operation and significantly damaged Hamas’ personnel and infrastructure, including weapons factories and dozens of smuggling tunnels. (Ravid, Barak. “Shin Bet Chief: Hamas has eased its demands for a cease-fire with Israel.” Ha’aretz. 4 January 2009.)
•  Israel has announced a call-up of tens of thousands of more reservists (Colvin, Marie. “Battles rage between Israeli ground troops and Hamas.” The Times (UK). 4 January 2009.) and tens of thousands of Israeli troops, along with hundreds of tanks, are reported massed on the Gaza border. (“Israeli troops enter Gaza.” BBC. 4 January 2009.)