Publication

This paper investigates the background of Israel's military offensive of December 2008- January 2009 in the Gaza Strip against the Hamas leadership. It identifies the steps that led to an intensification of the confrontation, outlines the course of the war and assesses the positions of the conflict parties. Subsequently, the paper details Hamas', Fatah's and Israel's perspectives of the crisis and reviews their interests. It calls for the international community to react quickly by pressing for a ceasefire.