Hamas Israel Truce

Both Hamas and Israel agreed separately to a cease-fire on January 18, 2009. The Palestinians demanded that Israel withdraw troops within a week and open the borders of the Gaza Strip for humanitarian aid. Israel stated that they had achieved their goals and declared a unilateral cease fire. Over 1,200 deaths were reported during the 22 days of hostilities.CNN.com: Hamas, Israel set independent cease fires (January 19, 2009)

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)

On January 17, 2009, during a televised address that followed a late-night cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister announced that Israel would cease its offensive attacks on Hamas in Gaza. The cease fire is scheduled to begin at 2:00 a.m. on January 18. An unnamed Israeli official reported that Israeli troops would remain in Gaza and would retaliate if Hamas opened fire. Earlier in the day, Hamas officials said that they would ignore the unilateral cease fire, as it did not meet their terms, and would continue to fight Israeli troops in Gaza.BBC News: Israel declares ceasefire in Gaza (January 17, 2008) Al Jazeera: Olmert announces Gaza ceasefire (January 17, 2009)

An earlier truce between Israel and Hamas was enacted on June 19, 2008. The agreement came after months of negotiations, which were primarily mediated by Egypt. The cease-fire ended in December 2008.ABC News: Israel, Hamas begin ceasefire (June 19, 2008)

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)

The viability of the June '08 truce was first threatened on June 24, 2008, when rockets were fired by Islamic Jihad fighters from Gaza into Israel. The attack was a response to the death of an Islamic Jihad fighter in The West Bank earlier that day.Agence France-Presse: Two Gaza Rockets Slam into Southern Israel (June 24, 2008)

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