While violence between Israel and the Gaza Strip has escalated in recent days, tensions between the Jewish State and the Palestinian territories have long existed. The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that over 830 rockets launched into southern Israel from Jan. 2011 – Nov. 2012. According to the Israeli human rights organization B’tselem, 319 Palestinians were killed between January 2009 (the conclusion of Israel’s last major operation, “Cast Lead”) and October 2012. Fifteen Israeli civilians and 5 security forces were killed by Palestinians in the same time period, the organization reports.
This timeline is about Israel’s Operation Pillar of Defense and begins with the assassination of Ahmed Jabari, head of Hamas’ military wing. Jabari’s death comes after weeks of rocket launches, border confrontations, casualties and tit-for-tat violence from both sides, although the killing of a high-profile Palestinian official brought Israel and Gaza’s longtime dispute into the international spotlight. Since Israel’s military operation began on Nov. 14, 5 Israelis and 161 Palestinians were killed.
Here’s a look at the most recent developments:
Nov. 14, 2012: Israel launches Operation Pillar of Defense in response to days of rocket fire out of Hamas-ruled Gaza. The offensive, which included 20 airstrikes, resulted in the assassination of Ahmad Jabari, the military commander of Hamas; he had been long on Israel’s most wanted list for 화성출장만남 several deadly attacks and the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit in 2006.
More in Crisis in Gaza
Gaza’s health minister said 10 were killed and 45 wounded. The United States lent its support to Israel’s right to defend itself. Egypt’s president Mohammad Morsi responded by recalling the country’s ambassador and asked the Arab League’s secretary general to convene an emergency ministerial meeting
Nov. 15, 2012: Israeli aircraft, tanks and naval gunboats pounded the Hamas-ruled Gaza strip and rocket salvoes thudded from Gaza into southern Israel, as terrified residents on both sides of the frontier holed up at home in anticipation of heavy fighting on the second day of Israel’s offensive against Islamic militants.
Fighting between the two sides escalated sharply after militants launched rockets into the Tel Aviv area, menacing Israel’s heartland and demonstrating Hamas’ long-range missile capabilities. At least one rocket never made it to the ground — Israeli officials said they believe it went into the sea — and another hit an open area in Rishon Lezion, south of Israel’s commercial capital. No casualties were reported in those attacks, but three Israelis died in the country’s rocket-scarred south when a projectile slammed into an apartment building. Militants aimed over 400 rockets into the south.
The death toll in the densely populated Palestinian territory climbed to 19. Israel reported it struck over 350 targets since the operation began. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the army was hitting Hamas hard with what he called surgical strikes, and warned of a “significant widening” of the Gaza operation.
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