The Gaza Strip is a stretch of coastal land between Israel and the Mediterranean Sea. While the area has been contested throughout history, 1967's Six-Day War ignited the current conflict, between Israel, which has maintained control of its borders ever since and the leadership of its Palestinian population.Slate: Gaza: The Basics

On February 28, 2009, an Israeli Army spokesman reported two rockets had been fired toward Israel's border from the Gaza Strip. One rocket hit a closed school and the other an open field.FOXNews.com: Gaza Rockets Hit Israeli Coastal City (February 28, 2009)

In May 2008, Egypt began work to broker a cease-fire between Israel and the Gaza Strip, and a six-month cease fire was established on June 19, 2008.San Francisco Chronicle: Air strikes kill 4 in Gaza Strip amid talk of cease-fire (May 21, 2008) http://israelipalestinian.procon.org/viewbackgroundresource.asp?resourceID=1545 Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Begins on June 19, 2008] (December 26, 2008)

The cease fire expired on December 19, 2008. Whether it will be renewed is questionable: Both sides accuse the other of bad faith and, during the cease fire, rockets from either side never completely stopped. Hamas believes Israel is an illegitimate state that must be dismantled; Israel views Hamas as a terrorist group. Nevertheless, Egypt is again working on negotiations for a renewed truce, and both sides were talking at first.New York Times: Gaza Truce May Be Revived by Necessity (December 19, 2008)On December 30, 2008, Israel displayed an interest in a possible 48-hour suspension of their military offensive to test the proposal of a renewed cease fire.Los Angeles Times: Israel indicates interest in Gaza truce proposal (December 31, 2008)

On January 6, 2008, after discussion with French president Nicolas Sarkozy, Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak announced a cease fire plan, to be followed by discussions.Reuters: Egypt announces Israel-Palestinian ceasefire plan (January 6, 2009)

After the six-month cease fire ended on December 19, 2008, tension escalated between Israel and Hamas. On December 27, 2008, Hamas fired rockets into Israel and said the rockets were a revenge for three Hamas members killed by Israel.YouTube Video: Israel warns Hamas over rockets (Time:2:33) In retaliation Israel launched an offensive and hit over 50 Gazan targets on the first day.AFP: At least 225 dead as Israel hammers Hamas-run Gaza (December 27, 2008) On the second day of airstrikes, Israeli forces targeted over 40 underground tunnels that were reportedly supplying the area with fuel and other supplies.BBC News: Israeli jets target Gaza tunnels (December 28, 2008)

As of December 30, the offensive had killed over 375 people and injured abut 650, according to Palestinian medical sources. Most people killed were reportedly Hamas membersCNN: Gaza Relief Boat Damaged in Encounter with Israel Vessel (December 30, 2008)

"If what we're doing in the air will not suffice we'll continue on the ground... There is a time for calm and a time for fighting, and now the time has come to fight."—Israeli Defense Minister Ehud BarakBBC: Israel set for prolonged Gaza op (December 27, 2008)

"Palestine has never witnessed an uglier massacre."—Hamas leader Ismail HaniyaBBC: Israel set for prolonged Gaza op (December 27, 2008)

"We strongly condemn the repeated rocket and mortar attacks against Israel and hold Hamas responsible for breaking the ceasefire and for the renewal of violence there. The ceasefire must be restored immediately and fully respected."—American Secretary of State Condoleeza RiceBBC: Israel set for prolonged Gaza op (December 27, 2008)

Gaza's name comes from its primary city, which is home to roughly 1.5 million Palestinians. Israel occupied the area from 1967-2005, and despite its withdrawal, Gaza is still considered an Israeli-occupied territory. Though it is claimed by the Palestinian National Authority, it is currently under the governance of a de facto government led by Hamas.BBC: Profile: Gaza Strip (January 21, 2008)

Of the Gaza Strip's 1.5 million people, the United Nations recognizes upwards of 1 million of them to be Palestinian Refugees. This number includes those displaced after the 1948 Arab Israeli War and their descendants. The Palestinian Right of Return continues to be a major point of contention in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.

Following the takeover of Hamas in 2007, relations with the Gaza Strip were cut off by most nations in the world. Trade relationships have been severed and the only goods allowed for import are those of humanitarian necessity. This has had a devastating effect on the area's economy.Al Ahram: Palestine in the UK (December 26, 2008)

On February 23, 2009, ABC reported that, according to a White House official, the U.S. would likely be donating upwards of $900 million to the reconstruction effort in Gaza, which was decimated by the Israeli-Hamas conflict of late 2008 and early 2009.ABC News: Official: US Aid to Gaza to Top $900 Million (February 23, 2009)