2008-2009: THE GAZA WAR

Also known as Operation Cast Lead in Israel and as the Gaza Massacre or the Battle of al-Furqan in Gaza and by Hamas.
It was a three-week bombing and invasion of the Gaza Strip by Israel, and hundreds of rocket attacks on the south of Israel which started on December 27, 2008 with a surprise air strike from Israel. Israel's stated aim was to stop rocket fire into Israel and arms import into the Gaza strip.
Israeli forces attacked police stations, military targets and other Hamas government buildings in the opening assault, striking in the densely populated cities of Gaza, Khan Younis and Rafah.
An Israeli ground invasion began on January 3. On January 5, IDF forces began operating in the densely populated urban centers of Gaza. During the last week of the offensive, Israel mostly hit targets it had damaged previously and struck Palestinian rocket-launching units.

Hamas intensified its rocket and mortar attacks against Southern Israel, reaching the major cities of Beersheba and Ashdod for the first time during the conflict.
Israeli politicians ultimately decided against striking deeper within Gaza amidst concerns of higher casualties on both sides and increasing international criticism. The war ended on January 18, when Israel first declared a unilateral ceasefire, followed by Hamas' announcing a one-week ceasefire twelve hours later. Israel completed its withdrawal on January 21.

The conflict resulted in between 1,166 and 1,417 Palestinian and 13 Israeli deaths, 4 from friendly fire.