Israel and the U.S. cut off aid to Palestinians because Hamas refuses to renounce violence and recognise Israel. June 25, 2006 - Hamas militants capture Israeli army conscript Gilad Shalit in a cross-border raid from Gaza, prompting Israeli air strikes and incursions. Dec. 27, 2008 - Israel launches a 22-day military offensive in Gaza after Palestinians fire rockets at the southern Israeli town of Sderot. After demanding Israel withdraw security forces from the compound, Hamas unleashes a barrage of rockets from Gaza into Israel. Israel responds with air strikes on Gaza.

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Persons: Amir Cohen, Gilad Shalit, Shalit, Fatah, Mahmoud Abbas, Ahmad Jabari, Tom Perry, Angus McDowall, Jan Harvey Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas, Palestinian Authority, Israel, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Ashkelon, Israel, Palestinian, Egypt, U.S, Sderot, Gaza’s, Al Aqsa, Jerusalem, Islamic, Iranian, Jihad