The Gaza War began on December 27, 2008, when Israel launched a military attack on the Gaza Strip. The conflict lasted until January 18, 2009 when first Israel, then Hamas, each announced unilateral ceasefires. The conflict was codenamed "Operation Cast Lead" (Hebrew: מבצע עופרת יצוקה) by Israel and described as "the Gaza massacre" (Arabic: مجزرة غزة) by Hamas.[18][19]
On 27 December Israel began a bombardment of the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of stopping rocket attacks from and arms smuggling into the Gaza Strip, although other motives have also been forwarded[20][21]. Israeli forces attacked Hamas training camps, arms smuggling tunnels, rocket launching sites, weapons depots, police stations and command and control centers. Mosques, private homes and schools, utilized by Hamas as platforms to attack Israel and as weapons storage depots, were also hit.[22][23] Hamas intensified its rocket and mortar attacks against Israel throughout the conflict.[24] Hamas rocket attacks were indiscriminate and caused damage to Synagogues, private homes[25] as well as medical clinics.[26]
The Israeli ground invasion began on January 3, 2009. The war ended on January 18, when Israel first declared a unilateral ceasefire, followed by Hamas' announcing a one-week ceasefire twelve hours later.[1][2] Israel completed its withdrawal on January 21.[27]
Between 1,166 and 1,417 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed.[28] More than 400,000 Gazans were left without running water, while 4,000 homes were destroyed or badly damaged, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless; 80 government buildings were hit.[29]
A report published in September 2009 by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) stated that both Israeli and Palestinian forces committed war crimes during the war and it recommended bringing those responsible to justice. "[30][31][32]