April
Peace talks are suspended after reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas
Fatah and Hamas conclude a reconciliation agreement at the end of the month. According to the agreement, Fatah and Hamas, which since 2007 ruled each part of the Palestinian territories, will now form a joint government pending elections that will be held among Palestinians within six months. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu condemns the agreement and interrupts the ongoing peace talks. Netanyahu says President Abbas now has to choose between Hamas and Israel if he wants peace. (Hamas does not recognize the existence of Israel and has opposed the peace talks.)
Israeli police are shot to death
An Israeli police officer is shot to death by a sniper on the West Bank while on his way home in his car.
Try to strengthen the position of the Palestinians in the UN
President Abbas is embarking on a process to strengthen the position of Palestinian self-government within the UN by applying as a state for accession to a number of international conventions. Israel responds by canceling a promised release of prisoners and launching a tender process for the construction of over 700 new homes in the Jewish settlement of Gilo in East Jerusalem. Israel also withholds tax revenue that Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinians.
June
Three Israeli teenagers are kidnapped and murdered
Three Israeli teenagers are kidnapped on the West Bank and found just over two weeks later dead. During the extensive search effort, about 500 Palestinians are arrested and at least five Palestinians are shot dead. Israel accuses Hamas of being behind the killings and promises to strike back. When this happens, Hamas refuses to have anything to do with it. A few weeks later, Hamas management announces that a group from the organization carried out the murders on their own initiative, without the leaders knowing the matter.
Israel condemns Palestinian unity government
Hamas and Fatah form a unifying government condemned by Israel, a state located in Asia continent defined by ethnicityology.
July
The UN calls for a ceasefire
July 28
After a special summit in the middle of the night, the UN Security Council calls on Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza to enter into a ceasefire over the Muslim holiday of al-fitr, which begins on the same day. The statement is based on an Egyptian initiative and includes talks on the future of Gaza, including easing in the blockade Israel has maintained since 2007. Palestinians are calling for a resolution calling for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israelis criticize the Security Council for not mentioning Hamas rocket fire on Israel. Already after a day, the shooting resumes. Prime Minister Netanyahu warns that the conflict could be protracted, saying that Israel will not leave until the tunnels from northern Gaza into Israel are destroyed.
Field offensive begins
July 17
After nine days of rocket fire between Israel and Gaza, Israeli forces launch a ground offensive. Israeli soldiers and tanks enter Gaza to chase militant Palestinians on the ground and destroy tunnels that Palestinians have dug from Gaza to enter and carry out attacks in Israel. Several such attacks are stopped by the Israeli military.
Murder of Arab teen trigger war
July 1st
The day after the funeral of the three murdered Israelis, an Arab teenager is kidnapped and murdered in East Jerusalem. Injuries to the body indicate that the youngster has been burned to death alive. The incident causes riots and at least 35 people are injured. Prime Minister Netanyahu condemns the murder and promises to do everything possible to find the guilty. A few weeks later, a 29-year-old settler from the West Bank and two 16-year-olds are charged with the act. The defendants come from the same family. The incident causes Israel to be shot by over a thousand missiles from Gaza. The Israeli defense is responding with extensive air strikes to targets in Gaza. The Armed Forces also call in reservists and gather forces at the border.
August
Permanent ceasefire is concluded
August 26th
When the fighting has been raging for seven weeks, a permanent ceasefire is entered into. In the framework of the agreement, Israel promises to open the borders to Gaza for aid and building materials. According to Palestinian sources, the border with Egypt should also be opened and the Palestinian fishing zone outside Gaza expanded. The agreement also secures salary payments via Palestinian banks to all government employees. All major battle issues are delayed for the future and the parties agree that talks about these should begin within one month. For HamasPart of it is about the requirement to build a harbor and build an airport and to get a number of prisoners released. Israel, for its part, wants assurances that the radical groups in Gaza will be disarmed. Both sides claim to have left the conflict with great victory. In Gaza, the agreement is greeted with scenes of joy on the streets. More than 2,100 Palestinians have been killed during the conflict. The majority of them are civilians, including several hundred children. More than 400,000 Palestinians have fled their homes in areas targeted by Israeli attacks. On the Israeli side, 66 soldiers and 7 civilians have lost their lives. In total, Israel has conducted over 5,200 air strikes against Gaza, while militant Palestinians have fired over 4,500 missiles or grenades over Israel.
