DECONSTRUCTING THE 2008-2009 GAZA WAR: JUSTIFICATIONS, EXPLANATIONS, AND CONSEQUENCES

Deconstructing the 2008-2009 Gaza War: Justifications, Explanations, and Consequences

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Israel-Gaza Conflict3

Background to the Gaza Conflict:6

2006 Gaza Conflict7

2007 Palestininian Civil War in Gaza7

2007-2008 Gaza Conflict8

2008 Gaza War: Airstrikes and Ground Invasion9

The Rise of Hamas11

Prospects of Peace13

Six Day Conflict20

Implications to US28

Conclusion33

References34

Deconstructing the 2008-2009 Gaza War: Justifications, Explanations, and Consequences

Introduction

The Middle East has always been a hot bed for conflicts. The recent eruption of violence in Gaza Strip has earned Israel condemnation from the international community on the disproportionality of its action. Yet it is interesting to note despite the ritual condemnation, no Arab states has actually put forward any important actions to undermine Israel's occupation in Gaza after the Israel-Hamas truce had expired. As usual, international media is quick to highlight bloodshed, the most attention-grabbing result, while downplaying the role of Hamas in the Israel-Gaza Conflict.

Israel-Gaza Conflict

According to the BBC, the Israel-Gaza Conflict started on 27 December 2008 when Israel launched Operation Cast Lead into the Gaza Strip . While media coverage has been biased in only focusing on the disproportionality of Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip, it is important to note that things were already brewing in the background. Since 2006, Hamas has fired at least 1,700 rockets into Israel despite Israel's easing of the blockade on the Gaza Strip. Hamas continued to smuggle ammunitions, firearms and rockets despite its assurance to Israel on its commitment to peace. Worse still, Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire first when Israeli agents raided a weapons smuggling tunnel in Gaza, despite that weapons smuggling de-facto breaks the ceasefire agreement. When the 6-month truce between Israel and Hamas expired on 18 December 2008, Hamas refused to extend the truce and renewed rocket attacks against Israel on 19 December 2008.

In March 2008, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert vowed to press on with the deadly military operations against militants who have been launching increasingly powerful rockets into Israel. The Israeli action is merely a response to the renewed terrorism originating from the Gaza Strip. Security for Israeli is the primary priority for the current Israeli government.  Action speaks louder than words and this is demonstrated by Israel's unilateral ceasefire on 17 January 2009 and partial withdrawal of the Israeli Defence Force. Israel's fight is targeted against Hamas and not the People of Gaza. Having destroyed Hamas' military camps and 60% of Hamas' tunnels between Egypt and Gaza, there is no need to continue military action in Gaza. By 21 January 2009, Israel has fully withdrawn its troops from Gaza. This is not the first time that Israel withdrew its troops unilaterally. In 2005, Israel made a unilateral decision to withdraw its military and settlers from the Gaza Strip.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum criticised Israel for taking a unilateral approach rather than entering into a deal with Egyptian mediators: “It is an attempt to pre-empt the Egyptian efforts and any other efforts that seek to achieve a withdrawal of the occupying forces, an ...