Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel is “at war” with the Palestinian group Hamas after the Palestinian group launched rockets, infiltrated Israel from Gaza, and engaged Israeli soldiers on the ground on Saturday.
Since its forces and settlers withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, Israel has already engaged in four conflicts with Palestinian fighters in the region—in 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2021.
Here are the key flare-ups:
2008: ‘Cast Lead’
On December 27, 2008, Israel initiated a series of airstrikes against what it called “militants” in Gaza, known as Operation Cast Lead, with the aim of halting Palestinian rocket attacks into Israel.
It later also deploys ground forces.
By the time a ceasefire was declared on January 18, 2009, the conflict had resulted in the deaths of 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis.
2012: ‘Pillar of Defence’
On November 14, 2012, Israel initiated Operation Pillar of Defense with a missile strike that resulted in the death of the top Hamas commander, Ahmed Jaabari.
During the subsequent eight-day conflict, a total of 177 Palestinians and six Israelis lost their lives.
Gaza fighters launched over 1,000 rockets into Israel, with hundreds of them intercepted by the “Iron Dome” missile defense system.
2014: ‘Protective Edge’
On July 8, 2014, Israel initiated Operation Protective Edge, with the stated objective of halting Palestinian rocket attacks and eliminating tunnels used by fighters to infiltrate Israel.
It pounds the enclave from the air and the sea.
The seven-week conflict resulted in the deaths of 2,251 Palestinians and 74 Israelis, including 68 soldiers.
May 2021: 11-day war
In response to a barrage of Hamas rocket fire, Israel launched an 11-day campaign of air and artillery strikes, resulting in the deaths of at least 248 people in Gaza, including 66 children.
Thirteen individuals lost their lives on the Israeli side, including one soldier.
Hamas had fired the rockets following confrontations between Israeli security forces and Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, which resulted in hundreds of Palestinians sustaining injuries.
May 2023: clashes with Islamic Jihad
Five days of hostilities between Israel and Islamic Jihad resulted in 33 fatalities in Gaza and two in Israel. Among the casualties were a Palestinian laborer from Gaza and an elderly Israeli.
Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least six senior members of Islamic Jihad, an organization designated as a terrorist group by both the United States and the European Union.
The casualties in Gaza included at least six children and numerous civilians before a ceasefire was brokered by Egypt.
