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==Planning==
==Planning==
Planning for the operation itself began more than six months before it was finally implemented, and included a large intelligence gathering operation to map out Hamas security targets. It reached Defense Minister [[Ehud Barak]]'s desk for approval on November 19, though it was not until December 18 he and Prime Minister [[Ehud Olmert]] met to approve it; it was subsequently delayed in order to see how Hamas would react after the cease-fire's expiration.<ref name=ravid>{{cite news |first=Barak |last=Ravid |title=Disinformation, secrecy, deception: How the Gaza offensive came about |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050426.html |publisher=Haaretz |date=2008-12-27 |accessdate=2008-12-27}}</ref> On December 24 the Israeli cabinet met supposedly to discuss global [[jihad]], but in fact spent five hours reviewing the proposed operation, and approved it unanimously.<ref name=ravid/> Israeli Foreign Minister [[Tzipi Livni]] informed Egyptian President [[Hosni Mubarak]] of the decision in [[Cairo]].<ref name=ravid /> A final meeting of defense and intelligence chiefs took place on the morning of December 26, followed by a meeting between Olmert, Livni, and Barak.<ref name=ravid/> They gave the final orders for the operation to the [[Israeli Air Force]], and that night into the morning of December 27, various Israeli political leaders were told of the decision.<ref name=ravid/> Several actions were taken to deceive Hamas, including the reopening of border crossings and the announcement that deliberations on what course of action to take would continue on December 28.<ref name=ravid/>
Planning for the operation itself began more than six months before it was finally implemented, and included a large intelligence gathering operation to map out Hamas security targets. It reached Defense Minister [[Ehud Barak]]'s desk for approval on November 19, though it was not until December 18 he and Prime Minister [[Ehud Olmert]] met to approve it; it was subsequently delayed in order to see how Hamas would react after the cease-fire's expiration.<ref name=ravid>{{cite news |first=Barak |last=Ravid |title=Disinformation, secrecy, deception: How the Gaza offensive came about |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050426.html |publisher=Haaretz |date=2008-12-27 |accessdate=2008-12-27}}</ref> On December 24 the Israeli cabinet met with the official intent to discuss global [[jihad]], but in fact met to talk about the proposed operation and approved it unanimously.<ref name=ravid/> Israeli Foreign Minister [[Tzipi Livni]] informed Egyptian President [[Hosni Mubarak]] of the decision in [[Cairo]].<ref name=ravid /> A final meeting of defense and intelligence chiefs took place on the morning of December 26, followed by a meeting between Olmert, Livni, and Barak.<ref name=ravid/> They gave the final orders for the operation to the [[Israeli Air Force]], and that night into the morning of December 27, various Israeli political leaders were told of the decision.<ref name=ravid/> Several actions were taken to deceive Hamas, including the reopening of border crossings and the announcement that deliberations on what course of action to take would continue on December 28.<ref name=ravid/>


==Attack==
==Attack==

Revision as of 23:11, 27 December 2008

Operation Cast Lead
Part of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

Area of the conflict
DateDecember 27, 2008 – present
Location
Gaza Strip & Southern Israel
Result Conflict ongoing
Belligerents
 Israel (Israeli Air Force) Hamas
Commanders and leaders
Israel Ido Nehoshtan (IAF)
Israel Yoav Galant (SoCom)
Israel Gabi Ashkenazi (CoS)
Israel Ehud Barak (DefMin)		 Khaled Meshaal
Ismail Haniyeh
Mahmoud az-Zahar
Ahmed Jabari
Strength
80+ attack aircraft & helicopters [1]
Casualties and losses
1 civilian killed and 6 wounded 225 killed and 780 wounded
(140 Hamas fighters)[1]

The Gaza Strip Bombings, referred to as Operation Cast Lead (Hebrew: מבצע עופרת יצוקה) by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), is an Israeli air strike operation launched on December 27, 2008 at 11:30 am local time (9:30 am UTC)[2]. By the first evening 225 Palestinians were confirmed dead.

Background

Main article: 2008 Israel–Gaza conflict

On December 13, Israel announced that it was in favor of extending an existing cease-fire, provided Hamas adheres to its conditions.[3] On December 20, Hamas officially announced an end to the truce, and resumed its shelling of the western Negev.[4] On December 22, the IDF killed three Palestinian militants who were planting explosives on the Gaza border. Israel was also reluctant to open the border crossings, which had been closed since November.[5] On December 24, the Negev was hit by more than 60 mortar shells and Katyusha and Qassam rockets, and the IDF was given a green light to operate.[6]

On 26 December 2008, Israel reopened five humanitarian border crossings with Gaza.[7] The BBC 'Today' programme commented that this may be a ruse presaging military attacks. Fuel was allowed in for Gaza’s main power plant and about 100 trucks loaded with grain, humanitarian aid and other goods were expected during the day. However, a military attack was launched very soon thereafter. This disinformation effort, according to Israeli defense officials, took Hamas by surprise and served to significantly increase the number of its casualties in the strike. [2]

Launched during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, the operation was codenamed after a Hanukkah poem by Haim Nachman Bialik referring to a "dreidel cast from solid lead".[8]

Planning

Planning for the operation itself began more than six months before it was finally implemented, and included a large intelligence gathering operation to map out Hamas security targets. It reached Defense Minister Ehud Barak's desk for approval on November 19, though it was not until December 18 he and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met to approve it; it was subsequently delayed in order to see how Hamas would react after the cease-fire's expiration.[9] On December 24 the Israeli cabinet met with the official intent to discuss global jihad, but in fact met to talk about the proposed operation and approved it unanimously.[9] Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni informed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak of the decision in Cairo.[9] A final meeting of defense and intelligence chiefs took place on the morning of December 26, followed by a meeting between Olmert, Livni, and Barak.[9] They gave the final orders for the operation to the Israeli Air Force, and that night into the morning of December 27, various Israeli political leaders were told of the decision.[9] Several actions were taken to deceive Hamas, including the reopening of border crossings and the announcement that deliberations on what course of action to take would continue on December 28.[9]

Attack

Using at least 80 aircraft including F-16 fighter jets and helicopters, Israel launched air-strikes against over 40 Hamas targets in Gaza that killed at least 225 and wounded around 780. Israeli authorities stated that the attack was a response to Qassam rocket attacks on southern Israel which intensified during the few weeks preceding the operation.[10][11][12] About 140 of the dead were Hamas members, according to Hamas officials,[13] including police chief Tawfiq Jabber and the head of Palestinian security and protection unit.[14] Civilians including Palestinian children and women have been severely injured or killed, according to a BBC report.[14]

Sixty Israeli planes targeted Hamas security and training compounds, as well as weapon storage buildings,[15][16] and dropped more than 100 tons of bombs. It is the most extensive attack in Gaza since 1967 in terms of the number of Palestinian casualties[14] The Israeli attack is considered to be the bloodiest one-day death toll in 60 years of conflict with the Palestinians.[17]

Gaza militants fired 70 rockets and mortars in response to the Israeli operation but these had far less effect than the Israeli bombardment on Gaza.[14] A rocket hit the town of Netivot, killing an Israeli man and wounding six other people.[16][18]

Bombing continues on the Gaza Strip and one rocket shot by f-16 fighter jet on a mosque in a hospital, from which rockets were reported to be launched, kills two people.[19]

International reactions

  • Arab League The Arab League will hold an emergency meeting in Cairo on December 28 to discuss the attack.[20]
  • Egypt Egypt condemned the attacks and opened up the Rafah Border Crossing to allow the wounded into Egyptian hospitals.[21] It also deployed 500 anti-riot police along the border.[11] Egypt’s foreign minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said that Egypt has long warned Hamas that this would be Israel’s response should Qassam fire continue.[22]
  • European Union A spokesman for the European Union’s Foreign Policy Chef, Javier Solana, called “for an immediate ceasefire” and urged “everybody to exert maximum restraint”.[23]
  • Libya Libya, which holds a seat on the United Nations Security Council, is expected to pressure the Council to hold an emergency meeting.[24]
  • Iran The Iranian Foreign Ministry said that “Iran strongly condemns the Zionist regime’s wide-ranging attacks against the civilians in Gaza” and that “the raids against innocent people are unforgiveable and unacceptable”.[23]
  • Jordan Jordan’s King Abdullah condemned the raids on Gaza after the protest of 8,000 Jordanians.[25]
  • Lebanon In Lebanon, dozens of youths set fire to tires in protest in Ein Hilweh, a Palestinian refugee camp.[26] Protestors also demonstrated in front of the Egyptian Embassy against the closed bordersa at Rafah.[27]
  • Syria Syria also condemned the acts, calling them a ”heinous crime and convicted terrorist act.”[28] In al-Yarmouk camp, outside Damascus, dozens of Palestinian protesters vowed to continue fighting Israel.
  • Russia Russia called for a stop of “large-scale military action against Gaza” and at the same time called for Hamas “to stop shelling Israeli territory”.[23]
  • France France’s president Nicolas Sarkozy stated he “firmly condemns the irresponsible provocations that have led to this situation, as well as the disproportionate use of force.”[29]
  • United Kingdom The United Kingdom called for “maximum restraint to avoid further civilian casualties” and on the other side for ”militants in the Gaza Strip to immediately cease all rocket attacks on Israel”[23]
  • United Nations United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned ”Israel’s ‘excessive use of force leading to the killing and injuring of civilians’ and ‘the ongoing rocket attacks by Palestinian militants.’”[23]
  • United States The United States condemned Hamas, saying that "Hamas' continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop," but also urging "Israel to avoid civilian casualties as it targets Hamas in Gaza."[30]
  • Vatican City A spokesman for the Vatican commented, "Hamas is a prisoner to a logic of hate, Israel to a logic of faith in force as the best response to hate. One must continue to search for a different way out, even if that may seem impossible."[23]

References

  1. ^ "Casualties". Reuters. 27 Dec 2008.
  2. ^ Harel, Amos (2008-12-27). "ANALYSIS / IAF strike on Gaza is Israel's version of 'shock and awe'". Ha'aretz. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  3. ^ Sofer, Roni (2008-12-13). "Israel in favor of extending Gaza lull". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  4. ^ Harel, Amos (2008-12-21). "Hamas declares end to cease-fire, Israeli gov't sources fear violence is unavoidable". Haaretz. Retrieved 2008-12-27. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Lavie, Mark. "The Associated Press: 3 Gaza militants killed in clash on Israeli border" (2008/12/22 ed.). Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  6. ^ Katz, Yaakov (2008-12-24). "IDF gets green light to strike Hamas after rocket barrage". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2008-12-27. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Israel Reopens Gaza Crossings". The New York Times. 2008-12-26. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  8. ^ AP (2008-12-26). "'All police HQs in Gaza destroyed'". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Ravid, Barak (2008-12-27). "Disinformation, secrecy, deception: How the Gaza offensive came about". Haaretz. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  10. ^ Ronen, Gil (2008-12-27). "Operation 'Cast Lead' Begins; One Israeli and 205 Arabs are Dead". Israel National News. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  11. ^ a b "Egypt slams Israeli 'murder' in Gaza, summons ambassador". AFP. 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  12. ^ "Israelis kill 225 Palestinians in Gaza and say this is just the beginning". Palestinian News Network. 2008-12-27. Archived from the original on 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  13. ^ "Israel Vows to Expand Gaza Airstrikes as Death Toll Passes 200". FoxNews. 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  14. ^ a b c d "BBC: Massive Israeli air raids on Gaza". Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  15. ^ Aboualouf, Rushdi (2008-12-27). "Eyewitness: Chaos in Gaza". BBC. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  16. ^ a b El-Khodary, Taghreed (2008-12-27). "Israeli attack kills scores across Gaza". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2008-12-27. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ At least 205 killed as Israeli pounds Gaza, Alarabiya, 27 December 2008
  18. ^ Black, Ian (2008-12-27). "Israel's hammer blow in Gaza". Guardian. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  19. ^ Al Jazeera news Channel 23:02 UTC
  20. ^ "Israel vows to keep up Gaza attacks". CNN. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  21. ^ Sood, Manish (2008-12-27). "Arab and Islamic leaders condemn deadly raids on Gaza". Topnews. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  22. ^ Behnorin, Yitzhak (December 27, 2008). "Egypt Lays Blame on Hamas". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  23. ^ a b c d e f "Reaction in quotes: Gaza bombing". BBC News. 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  24. ^ "Arab foreign ministers to meet on Sunday on Gaza". Reuters. 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  25. ^ "Jordan king urges Israel to end Gaza offensive". Reuters. 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  26. ^ Keshta, Hamed (2008-12-27). "Israeli jets kill 'more than 200' in revenge strikes on Gaza". Times Online. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  27. ^ "Lebanon protesters converge on Egypt embassy after Gaza raid". AFP. 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  28. ^ "Syria condemns Israeli strikes on Gaza as "heinous crime"". Xinhua. 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  29. ^ "Israeli Air Raids in Gaza Kill as Many as 210 People". Bloomberg. 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  30. ^ "U.S. Condemns Hamas in Midst of Israeli Strikes". FOX. 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
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