Israel Gaza FAQ: The Background

What prompted Israel to launch Operation Cast Lead in Gaza?

This FAQ section provides all the facts pertaining to the major events leading up to the January 2009 military operation in Gaza, known as “Operation Cast Lead”, including Israel’s attempts to pursue non-military options to stop Hama’s terrorist attacks launched from Gaza against Israeli citizens.

We also discuss the affects of the attacks on the civilian population, Israel’s right to resort to force, the legal framework of the operation and Hamas’s military capabilities before and during the conflict.

• What prompted Israel to launch Operation Cast Lead?

• How did Israel initially respond to the incessant attacks on its civilian population?

• What was the effect of Hamas' daily rocket fire on Israel's civilian population?

• What other measures did Israel take before resorting to military action?

• What was the result of Israel's efforts to end the rocket and terrorist attacks on its civilians through diplomatic channels?

• What was the legal basis for assessing Operation Cast Lead?

• Did Israel have the right to resort to force to defend itself?

• What kind of military capabilities did Hamas have?

Operation Cast Lead against Hamas - FAQ Topics