Hamas Contained: The Rise and Pacification of Palestinian Resistance

by Tareq Baconi

“Enough is enough. The situation is going to change.”161 Less than five days after Zahhar’s renewed ceasefire offer, on December 27, Israel launched the first phase of “Operation Cast Lead,” an extensive aerial bombing campaign. The operation coincided with the American presidential transition, as President Barack Obama was set to assume office in January 2009, and also preceded Israeli elections. On the opening day of the operation, Israeli fighter planes flew over the Gaza Strip and dropped bombs on a graduation ceremony that Hamas was hosting for its civil police force, killing ninety-nine celebrants and graduates.162 Despite anticipating the attack, Hamas was caught off guard by the timing and scale of Israel’s offensive. Israel’s aerial assault was followed by a ground-air phase that lasted three weeks until January 18, 2009. During this time, Israel carried out extensive bombing campaigns with hundreds of air strikes throughout the Gaza Strip. Flying over the most densely populated centers of Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, Israel targeted buildings, mosques, hospitals, and houses. Using the full range of its weaponry, Israel’s planes even dropped white phosphorus bombs, a chemical that causes severe burning and is outlawed by international law for use among civilian populations.163