Hamas and the Path to the Ceasefire
Hamas, an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyya (Islamic Resistance Movement), was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada. As a Palestinian Sunni-Islamist militant and political organization, it is recognized by some countries, including the U.S. and the EU, as a terrorist organization due to its armed resistance and attacks against Israel. However, it also functions as a political and social services provider, particularly in Gaza, where it has held power since winning the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council elections.
Despite its controversial reputation, Hamas' actions and policies reflect a dual nature: a political body seeking Palestinian self-determination and a militant entity engaged in armed resistance. Its participation in the 2006 elections and subsequent governance of Gaza marked a significant shift, but the international community largely isolated the group, refusing to engage with its leadership. This isolation further entrenched Hamas' position as both a governing authority and a resistance movement.
The 2008 Ceasefire Agreement
The ceasefire, which began on June 19, 2008, was mediated by Egypt and aimed to de-escalate hostilities. Under the agreement, Hamas committed to halting rocket and mortar fire from Gaza into Israel and pledged to restrain other factions operating in the territory. In return, Israel agreed to cease military operations in Gaza and ease its economic blockade, which had crippled the enclave and brought its population to the brink of starvation.
Hamas largely honored its commitments. According to Israeli sources, rocket fire decreased by 98%, with only 20 rockets and 17 mortar shells fired from Gaza during the ceasefire—none by Hamas. This represented a dramatic reduction from the over 1,000 projectiles launched in the months before the truce.
November 4, 2008: The Breaking Point
The ceasefire remained largely intact until November 4, 2008, when Israel launched a military operation into Gaza, killing six Hamas members. The timing of this incursion—on the night of the U.S. presidential election—drew limited international attention but had significant consequences. Hamas responded by resuming rocket fire into Israel, marking the end of the ceasefire.
Critics argue that this operation was a deliberate provocation designed to justify a broader military campaign. The Israeli government subsequently launched Operation Cast Lead on December 27, 2008, a devastating assault on Gaza that killed nearly a thousand Palestinians and injured thousands more. While Israeli officials cited the need to protect their citizens from rocket attacks, analysts contend that the November 4 incursion undermined the rationale by reigniting violence that had been effectively curbed during the truce.
While Hamas demonstrated restraint and a willingness to uphold its commitments, Israel’s failure to lift the blockade and its November 4 operation exacerbated tensions. The subsequent war inflicted severe suffering on Palestinians and highlighted the cyclical nature of violence in the region.