Kerem Shalom attack and kidnapping of Cpl. Gilad Shalit

The events:

Political-Security Cabinet (July 5): "Against the background of the abduction and the continued firing of rockets and mortars, including the firing of a Kassam rocket at Ashkelon, preparations must be made to bring about a change in the rules of the game and the modus operandi vis-à-vis the PA and Hamas."

• Two soldiers killed, one missing in Kerem Shalom terror attack (25 Jun 2006)
  • Lt. Hanan Barak, 20, of Arad
  • Staff-Sgt. Pavel Slutzker, 20, of Dimona
• IDF enters southern Gaza Strip to secure release of abducted soldier (28 Jun 2006)
• Body of kidnapped teen Eliyahu Asheri found (29 Jun 2006)
• IDF warns Palestinian civilians in southern Gaza Strip (29 Jun 2006)
• Senior Hamas members arrested in the West Bank (29 Jun 2006)
• Main results of IDF investigation into events of 25 June (10 Jul 2006)

Operation Summer Rain - IDF Spokesman

• Summary of IDF activity in the Gaza Strip (12 Jul 2006)
• Summary of IDF activity in the Gaza Strip (13 Jul 2006)
• Conclusion of IDF activity in central Gaza (14 Jul 2006)
• Summary of IDF activity in Gaza and continued transfer of fuel and food (15 Jul 2006)
• Summary of IDF activity in Gaza (16 Jul 2006)
• Karni opened as IDF operation in northern Gaza continues (17 Jul 2006)
• IDF concludes operation in Beit Hanun (18 Jul 2006)
• Passage of food items and fuel into the Gaza Strip (18 Jul 2006
• Summary of IDF activity in the central Gaza Strip (19 Jul 2006)
• Summary of IDF activity in the Gaza Strip (20 Jul 2006)
• Summary of IDF activity in the Gaza Strip (24 Jul 2006)
• Summary of IDF activity in the Gaza Strip (25 Jul 2006)
• Summary of IDF activity in the Gaza Strip (26 Jul 2006)
• Summary of IDF activity in the Gaza Strip (28 Jul 2006)
• Summary of IDF activity in the Gaza Strip (2 Aug 2006)
• Summary of IDF activity in the Gaza Strip (3 Aug 2006)
• Summary of IDF activity in the Gaza Strip over the weekend (5 Aug 2006)

Government decisions:

• Political-Security Cabinet convenes to discuss abducted soldier (25 Jun 2006)
• Political-Security Cabinet authorizes further IDF activity in Gaza (5 Jul 2006)
• Cabinet Communique (9 Jul 2006)
  

Humanitarian aid:

• Passage of food and fuel into the Gaza Strip (2 Jul 2006)
• Israel upgrades humanitarian response (11 Jul 2006)
• Transfer of basic food and medical supplies into the Gaza Strip (11 Jul 2006)
  

Behind the headlines:

Israel considers the Palestinian Authority and its Hamas government to be fully responsible for the Kerem Shalom attack and for the fate of the kidnapped soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit.

• Behind the Headlines: Rescuing Gilad Shalit from his Hamas kidnappers
• Behind the Headlines: Arrest of Hamas leaders

Policy statements:

PM Olmert (July 3): "Israel will not give in to extortion by the Palestinian Authority and the Hamas government, led by murderous terrorist organizations. We will not conduct negotiations on the release of prisoners."

• PM Olmert: Release of prisoners is not on agenda of Israeli government (26 Jun 2006)
• Statement by PM Olmert in response to Palestinian ultimatum (3 Jul 2006)
• PM Olmert reacts to Kassam in Ashkelon (4 Jul 2006)
• Transcript of press conference by PM Olmert to the foreign press (10 July 2006)

International contacts:

FM Livni (June 28): "While Israel has given full priority to diplomatic efforts, it cannot tolerate a situation where its citizens are held hostage. The Palesitnian Authority is led by a terrorist government committed to a radical and militant Islamic ideology, and continues to engage in terrorism. These grave attacks, taking place with the full involvement and blessing of the Hamas-led PA, only confirm the policy adopted by the international community, and the three core conditions that any Palestinian government must fulfill to be considered a legitimate political partner."

• PM Olmert speaks with UN Secy.-Gen. Annan (28 Jun 2006)
• Letter from FM Livni to Foreign Ministers (28 Jun 2006)
• Statement by Ambassador Daniel Carmon to the UN Security Council (30 Jun 2006)
• PM Olmert speaks with US Secy of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice (2 Jul 2006)