Editing Second Intifada (section)

==Aftermath==
On 25 January 2006, the Palestinians held [[2006 Palestinian legislative election|general elections]] for the [[Palestinian Legislative Council]]. The Islamist group Hamas won with an unexpected majority of 74 seats, compared to 45 seats for [[Fatah]] and 13 for other parties and independents. Hamas is officially declared as a [[List of terrorist organisations|terrorist organization]] by the United States and the European Union and its gaining control over the Palestinian Authority (such as by forming the government) would jeopardize international funds to the PA, by laws forbidding sponsoring of terrorist group.

On 9 June, seven members of the Ghalia family [[Gaza beach blast|were killed]] on a Gaza beach. The cause of the explosion remains uncertain. Nevertheless, in response, Hamas declared an end to its commitment to a ceasefire declared in 2005 and announced the resumption of attacks on Israelis. Palestinians blame an Israeli artillery shelling of nearby locations in the northern Gaza Strip for the deaths, while an Israeli military inquiry cleared itself from the charges.

On 25 June, a military outpost was attacked by Palestinian militants and a gunbattle followed that left 2 Israeli soldiers and 3 Palestinian militants dead. Corporal [[Gilad Shalit]], an Israeli soldier, was captured and Israel warned of an imminent [[Operation Summer Rains|military response]] if the soldier was not returned unharmed. In the early hours of 28 June Israeli tanks, APCs and troops entered the Gaza Strip just hours after the air force had taken out two main bridges and the only powerstation in the strip, effectively shutting down electricity and water. [[Operation Summer Rains]] commenced, the first major phase of the [[Gaza–Israel conflict]], which continues to run independently of the intifada.

On 26 November 2006, a truce was implemented between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. A 10 January 2007, Reuters article reports: "Hamas has largely abided by a November 26 truce which has calmed Israeli–Palestinian violence in Gaza."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://today.reuters.com/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=tnBusinessNews&storyID=nL10415075 |title=Exclusive-Hamas leader says Israel's existence is a reality |author=Sean Maguire |author2=Khaled Oweis |work=Reuters |date=10 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018170208/http://today.reuters.com/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=tnBusinessNews&storyID=nL10415075 |archive-date=18 October 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Rockets and mortar February 2009.JPG|thumb|Rocket and mortar shells from Gaza into Israel, February 2009]]

=== 2008–2009 Gaza–Israel War ===
An intensification of the Gaza–Israel conflict, the [[Gaza War (2008–09)|Gaza war]], occurred on 27 December 2008 (11:30&nbsp;a.m. local time; 09:30&nbsp;[[UTC]])<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/analysis-iaf-strike-on-gaza-is-israel-s-version-of-shock-and-awe-1.260341 |title=Analysis / IAF strike on Gaza is Israel's version of 'shock and awe' |last=Harel |first=Amos |date=27 December 2008 |newspaper=[[Haaretz]] |access-date=28 September 2014 |archive-date=13 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513023952/http://www.haaretz.com/news/analysis-iaf-strike-on-gaza-is-israel-s-version-of-shock-and-awe-1.260341 |url-status=live }}</ref> when Israel launched a [[military campaign]] codenamed ''Operation Cast Lead'' ({{langx|he|מבצע עופרת יצוקה}}) targeting the members and infrastructure of Hamas in response to the [[List of rocket and mortar attacks in Israel in 2008|numerous rocket attacks upon Israel]] from the Gaza Strip.<ref name="bbc_400">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7807564.stm|title=Israel braced for Hamas response|date=2 January 2009|work=BBC News|access-date=4 January 2010|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225084007/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7807564.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBC 7804051">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7804051.stm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230121114/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7804051.stm|archive-date=30 December 2008|title=Israel pounds Gaza for fourth day|date=30 December 2008|access-date=14 January 2009|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="bbc_numbers_dec_30th">{{cite news|title=Israel vows war on Hamas in Gaza |date=30 December 2008 |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7803711.stm |access-date=30 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230031820/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7803711.stm |archive-date=30 December 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> The operation has been termed the ''Gaza massacre'' ({{langx|ar|مجزرة غزة}}) by Hamas leaders and much of the media in the [[Arab World]].<ref name="gaza_massacre0">{{cite news|title=Israeli Gaza 'massacre' must stop, Syria's Assad tells US senator |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hI7x-bpyN4wqfAneMcCnl-LVx-pg |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |date=30 December 2008 |access-date=11 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122180254/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hI7x-bpyN4wqfAneMcCnl-LVx-pg |archive-date=22 January 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="gaza_massacre8">{{cite news|title=Factions refuse Abbas' call for unity meeting amid Gaza massacre |url=http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/62543/factions-refuse-abbas-39-call-for-unity-meeting-amid-gaza-massacre.html |agency=[[Ma'an News Agency]] |work=[[Journal of Turkish Weekly]] |date=30 December 2008 |access-date=11 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124060300/http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/62543/factions-refuse-abbas-39-call-for-unity-meeting-amid-gaza-massacre.html |archive-date=24 January 2009 }}</ref><ref name="gaza_massacre6">{{Cite news |author=Adas |first=Basil |date=28 December 2008 |title=Iraqi leaders discuss Gaza massacre |newspaper=[[Gulf News]] |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/region/iraq/iraqi-leaders-discuss-gaza-massacre-1.150793 |access-date=28 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202125030/http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Iraq/10270761.html |archive-date=2 February 2009}}</ref><ref name="gaza_massacre10">"Hamas slammed the silent and still Arab position on Gaza massacre" – {{cite news|title=Israel airstrikes on Gaza kill at least 205 |url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2008/December/middleeast_December507.xml&section=middleeast |agency=[[Deutsche Presse-Agentur|Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA)]] |newspaper=[[Khaleej Times]] |date=27 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123164136/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data%2Fmiddleeast%2F2008%2FDecember%2Fmiddleeast_December507.xml&section=middleeast |archive-date=23 January 2009 }}</ref><ref name="gaza_massacre7">"it's impossible to contain the Arab and Islamic world after the Gaza massacre" – {{cite news|title=Hamas denies firing rockets from Lebanon |url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1004526/Hamas-denies-firing-rockets-from-Lebanon |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |publisher=[[Special Broadcasting Service]] |date=8 January 2009 |access-date=11 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119054136/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1004526/Hamas-denies-firing-rockets-from-Lebanon |archive-date=19 January 2009 }}</ref><ref name="gazza_massacre1">{{cite news |title=Arab Leaders Call for Palestinian Unity During "Terrible Massacre" |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/arab-leaders-call-for-palestinian-unity-during-terrible-massacre |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=[[Fox News]] |date=31 December 2008 |access-date=7 January 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122211525/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,474461,00.html |archive-date=22 January 2009 }}</ref><ref name="gazza_massacre2">{{cite news|title=Gulf leaders tell Israel to stop Gaza 'massacres' |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLU230729 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=30 December 2008 |access-date=7 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118212337/http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLU230729 |archive-date= 18 January 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gazza_massacre3">{{cite news|title=OIC, GCC denounce massacre in Gaza |url=http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=117588&d=28&m=12&y=2008 |date=28 December 2008 |agency=[[Arab News]] |access-date=7 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118062806/http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=117588&d=28&m=12&y=2008 |archive-date= 18 January 2009 }}</ref><ref name="gaza_massacre4">{{cite news|script-title=ar:سباق دبلوماسي لوقف مذبحة غزة |language=ar |trans-title=Diplomatic race to stop the Gaza massacre |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/arabic/middle_east_news/newsid_7810000/7810968.stm |date=5 January 2009 |access-date=11 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106191319/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/arabic/middle_east_news/newsid_7810000/7810968.stm |archive-date=6 January 2009 |work=BBC News |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="UN_council_6060">{{cite news|title=United Nations Security Council 6060th meeting (Click on the page S/PV.6060 record for transcript) |url=https://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide/scact2008.htm |date=31 December 2008 |access-date=7 January 2009 |agency=[[United Nations Security Council]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217092241/http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide/scact2008.htm |archive-date=17 December 2008 }}</ref> Studies published in the international medical journal ‘Global Public Health’ indicate that Israel violated human rights by targeting medical personnel and civilians, preventing emergency medical evacuations and restricting health care to civilians.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Marton |first=Ruchama |date=Nov 2011 |title=Human rights violations during Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip: 27 December 2008 to 19 January 2009 |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17441692.2010.551518 |journal=Global Public Health |language=en |volume=6 |issue=5 |pages=560–569 |doi=10.1080/17441692.2010.551518 |pmid=21390968 |issn=1744-1692}}</ref>

On Saturday, 17 January 2009, Israel announced a unilateral ceasefire, conditional on elimination of further rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza, and began withdrawing over the next several days.<ref name=ravid>{{Cite news|last=Ravid|first=Barak|title=IDF begins Gaza troop withdrawal, hours after ending 3-week offensive|work=[[Haaretz]]|access-date=28 September 2014|date=18 January 2009|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/idf-begins-gaza-troop-withdrawal-hours-after-ending-3-week-offensive-1.268326|archive-date=17 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817072019/http://www.haaretz.com/news/idf-begins-gaza-troop-withdrawal-hours-after-ending-3-week-offensive-1.268326|url-status=live}}</ref> Hamas later announced its own ceasefire, with its own conditions of complete withdrawal and opening of border crossings. A reduced level of mortar fire originating in Gaza continues, though Israel has so far not taken this as a breach of the ceasefire. The frequency of the attacks can be observed in the thumbnailed graph. The data corresponds to the article "[[Timeline of the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict]]", using mainly ''Haaretz'' news reports from 1 February<ref>{{cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |author=Yuval Azoulay |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/two-idf-soldiers-civilian-lightly-hurt-as-gaza-mortars-hit-negev-1.266841 |title=Two IDF soldiers, civilian lightly hurt as Gaza mortars hit Negev |work=[[Haaretz]] |date=2 January 2009 |access-date=28 September 2014 |archive-date=2 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702082345/http://www.haaretz.com/news/two-idf-soldiers-civilian-lightly-hurt-as-gaza-mortars-hit-negev-1.266841 |url-status=live }}</ref> up to 28 February.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yagna |first=Yanir |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/ten-rockets-hit-southern-israel-one-damages-ashkelon-school-1.271119 |title=Ten rockets hit southern Israel, one damages Ashkelon school |work=[[Haaretz]] |date=2 April 2008 |access-date=28 September 2014 |archive-date=20 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920154814/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/ten-rockets-hit-southern-israel-one-damages-ashkelon-school-1.271119 |url-status=live }}</ref> The usual IDF responses are airstrikes on weapon smuggling tunnels.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181227-remembering-israels-2008-war-on-gaza/ |title=Remembering Israel's 2008 War on Gaza |date=27 December 2018 |access-date=3 February 2024 |archive-date=19 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119072814/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181227-remembering-israels-2008-war-on-gaza/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The violence continued on both sides throughout 2006. On 27 December the Israeli Human Rights Organization B'Tselem released its annual report on the Intifada. According to which, 660 Palestinians, a figure more than three times the number of Palestinian fatalities in 2005, and 23 Israelis, were killed in 2006. From a 28 December ''Haaretz'' article:<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/b-tselem-israeli-security-forces-killed-660-palestinians-during-2006-1.208517 |title=B'Tselem: Israeli security forces killed 660 Palestinians during 2006 |newspaper=[[Haaretz]] |date=28 December 2006 |access-date=28 September 2014 |archive-date=13 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513024645/http://www.haaretz.com/news/b-tselem-israeli-security-forces-killed-660-palestinians-during-2006-1.208517 |url-status=live }}</ref> "According to the report, about half of the Palestinians killed, 322, did not take part in the hostilities at the time they were killed. 22 of those killed were targets of assassinations, and 141 were minors." 405 of 660 Palestinians were killed in the [[2006 Israel-Gaza conflict]], which lasted from 28 June till 26 November.