 In March 2008 , a human rights coalition charged that the humanitarian situation in Gaza had reached its worst point since Israel occupied the territory in the 1967 Six @-@ Day War . On December 27 – 28 , 2008 Israel commenced air strikes against Gaza , codenamed " Operation Cast Lead " . Israel stated the strikes were in response to repetitive rocket and mortar attacks from the Gaza Strip into Israel since 2005 , while the Palestinians stated that they were responding to Israel 's military excursions and the blockade of the Gaza Strip . By January 3 , 2009 , Israeli tanks and infantry were invading Gaza with air and naval support . Thirteen Israelis , including ten soldiers were killed , while , according to Palestinian sources , a total of more than 1 @,@ 300 Palestinians were killed and 5 @,@ 500 injured . In addition 4 @,@ 000 buildings were destroyed and 20 @,@ 000 damaged throughout the Gaza Strip . Israel began an operation in Gaza on 14 November 2012 , lasting eight days . On 7 July 2014 , Hamas took responsibility for rocket attacks against Israel after several of their members where killed , leading to Israel launching an operation the next day . 
