The first breach of the ceasefire occurred on January 27, 2009, when Palestinians activated a roadside bomb in northern Gaza that killed one Israeli soldier and wounded three others. Israel immediately closed the crossing, and launched an airstrike on the region. Reports said a Hamas militant "who was prominent in the organization accountable for the attack" was killed. President Barack Obama's newly-appointed Mideast envoy, George Mitchell, arrived in Israel on January 28, 2009. Mitchell said it was "critical that the cease-fire be extended and consolidated."FOX News: Israeli Warplanes Pound Gaza Tunnels (January 28, 2009)

1. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced a cease fire during a late-night televised address on January 17, 2009BBC News: Israel declares ceasefire in Gaza (January 17, 2008)
2. The cease fire is scheduled to take effect at 2: 00 a.m. local time on January 18, 2009BBC News: Israel declares ceasefire in Gaza (January 17, 2008)
3. Ohmert reported that Israel had achieved its aims in GazaBBC News: Israel declares ceasefire in Gaza (January 17, 2008)
4. June 2008 truce began at 6 a.m., local time, on June 19, 2008
5. Previous truce was announced on June 17, 2008
6. 2008 truce was mediated by Egypt
7. Began with a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip
8. Hamas took control of Gaza Strip in June 2007
9. Hamas drove out Fatah following elections
10. Israel has enforced a blockade on the Gaza Strip since Hamas took power
11. Cease-fire ended in December 2008
12. Between December 27, 2008 and January 17, 2009, over 1,200 Palestinians had been killed and over 5,000 wounded in the conflictCNN: Senior official: Israel to announce unilateral cease-fire (January 17, 2009)
13. Between December 27, 2008 and January 17, 2009, a reported 13 Israelis were killed and at least 200 had been injured in the conflictCNN: Senior official: Israel to announce unilateral cease-fire (January 17, 2009)

After mounting tension between Hamas and Israel, Hamas fired rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel, which led to Israel launching air strikes on the Gaza Strip on December 27, 2008. While the air strikes continued, Israel also launched a ground initiative into the Gaza Strip beginning on January 3, 2009.BBC News: Israel warns Hamas over rockets (December 25, 2008)

Talks regarding a truce continued, despite ongoing fighting. On January 6, 2009, Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak, proposed a new cease-fire plan between Israel and Hamas. The proposal came after discussions between Mubarak and French president Nicolas Sarkozy.Reuters: Egypt announces Israel-Palestinian ceasefire plan (January 6, 2009)

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert initially rejected the proposed cease-fire resolutions, stating that the truce was "unworkable." Olmert cited that Hamas continued to fire rockets into Israel, and that the Israeli army would thus continue to defend its people and territory.Reuters: Israel says U.N. truce... (January 9, 2009)