Palestinians stand on the ruins of a building in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City after it was destroyed by Israeli bombings during Operation Cast Lead. The Israeli military offensive lasted from 27 December 2008 to 18 January 2009. According to the UN, it resulted in the killing of 1,383 Palestinians, including 333 children and 114 women, and the injury of more than 5,300. The homes of more than 3,400 Palestinian families were completely destroyed. The firing of rockets and mortars by armed Palestinian groups toward Israel killed 3 Israeli civilians and injured some 180; 10 Israeli soldiers were killed during the hostilities, including 4 in a “friendly fire” incident.
