2014 Gaza War
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| 2014 Gaza War | |
|---|---|
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| Conflict | 2014 Gaza War |
| Partof | the Gaza–Israel conflict and the broader Israeli–Palestinian conflict |
| Caption | Map of the conflict area |
| Date | 8 July – 26 August 2014 |
| Place | Gaza Strip, Israel |
| Result | Ceasefire; see Aftermath of the 2014 Gaza War |
| Combatant1 | Israel, Supported by:, United States |
| Combatant2 | Palestine, In Gaza:, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Popular Resistance Committees, Al-Qassam Brigades, Al-Quds Brigades |
| Commander1 | Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Moshe Ya'alon, Israel Benny Gantz, Israel Sami Turgeman |
| Commander2 | Palestine Ismail Haniyeh, Palestine Khaled Mashal, Palestine Mohammed Deif, Palestine Ramadan Shallah |
| Strength1 | 176,500 active and reserve personnel |
| Strength2 | 20,000–25,000 militants |
| Casualties1 | 67 soldiers, 5 civilians killed |
| Casualties2 | 2,251 Palestinians killed (per United Nations); 10,626 injured |
| Notes | Civilian infrastructure in Gaza severely damaged; see Casualties of the 2014 Gaza War |
2014 Gaza War. The 2014 Gaza War, known in Israel as Operation Protective Edge, was a major military confrontation between the Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The conflict lasted for seven weeks during the summer of 2014, becoming one of the most devastating episodes in the long-running Israeli–Palestinian conflict. It resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction, particularly within the coastal Gaza Strip, and prompted intense international diplomatic activity and scrutiny.
Background
Tensions had been escalating following the collapse of U.S.-brokered peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority earlier in the year, and the subsequent formation of a Palestinian unity government supported by Hamas. The immediate catalyst was the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank in June, which Israel blamed on Hamas, leading to a crackdown in the West Bank and the arrest of hundreds of its members. Following an increase in rocket fire from Gaza into southern Israel, and Israeli airstrikes in response, Hamas and other groups like the Palestinian Islamic Jihad significantly escalated their attacks.
Course of the war
The conflict began with a major Israeli air campaign, dubbed Operation Protective Edge, targeting militant infrastructure, including tunnels, command centers, and the homes of senior figures like Mohammed Deif. Militant groups responded with sustained rocket and mortar fire, reaching as far as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa, often intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system. On 17 July, Israel launched a ground invasion into the Gaza Strip, focusing on destroying an extensive network of attack tunnels dug by Hamas. Major ground battles occurred in areas like Shuja'iyya, Khan Yunis, and Rafah. The war was marked by several short-lived humanitarian ceasefires brokered by entities like the United Nations and Egypt.
Casualties and losses
According to the United Nations, 2,251 Palestinians were killed, with a majority being civilians, including 551 children. Over 10,000 were wounded, and extensive damage was inflicted on housing, hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure like the Gaza Power Plant. On the Israeli side, 66 soldiers and 5 civilians were killed, with hundreds injured. The Israel Defense Forces reported that thousands of rockets and mortars were fired from Gaza, while its forces struck over 5,000 targets.
Aftermath and impact
An open-ended ceasefire agreement was announced on 26 August, mediated by Egypt with backing from the United States and United Nations. The agreement called for the easing of the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip and the opening of crossings, but reconstruction efforts, coordinated by the UNRWA, progressed slowly due to ongoing restrictions and a lack of funding. The war deepened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and hardened political positions, with Hamas claiming a form of victory for resistance and the Israeli government emphasizing the degradation of militant capabilities.
Reactions
International reactions were deeply divided. The United States and key allies like Canada expressed strong support for Israel's right to self-defense. Many other nations, including members of the European Union, condemned the high Palestinian civilian toll. The Arab League accused Israel of war crimes, while regional actors like Egypt and Saudi Arabia were critical of Hamas. Major protests occurred globally, including in cities like London, Paris, and Istanbul, organized by groups such as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
Legal and human rights issues
Subsequent investigations by the United Nations Human Rights Council (which established a Commission of Inquiry), Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International alleged potential violations of international law by both sides. These included accusations of indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas, the use of human shields, and the targeting of United Nations facilities. Israel rejected these reports as biased, conducting its own internal military investigations which largely cleared its forces of wrongdoing, a process criticized by organizations like B'Tselem.
Category:2014 in Israel Category:2014 in Palestine Category:Wars involving Israel Category:Wars involving Hamas Category:Gaza–Israel conflict