CHRONOLOGY-Palestinians' year since Hamas seized Gaza
June 11 (Reuters) - Israel's Security Cabinet on Wednesday backed efforts by Egypt to reach a truce in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip but said the army was told to prepare for possible military action if mediation failed.
Following is a chronology of events in the Palestinian territories since Hamas routed its Fatah rivals and seized control of the Gaza Strip a year ago.
June 14, 2007 - Hamas seizes Gaza after overpowering President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah forces in a week of fighting in which at least 100 people were killed. Abbas dismisses Hamas-led unity government and appoints a Fatah-backed administration, led by Salam Fayyad, a technocratic economist favoured by the West.
- The United States soon lifts its economic embargo on the Palestinian government. Other countries follow suit.
- Israel and the new Palestinian government open formal contacts. The Jewish state tightens a blockade of Gaza.
Nov. 27 - U.S. hosts an international conference in Annapolis, Maryland that yields promises from Israel and the Palestinians to try to forge a two-state agreement by the end of 2008, before U.S. President George W. Bush leaves office.
Dec. 12 - Israeli and Palestinian negotiators open talks in discord over Jewish settlement building in the West Bank and Palestinian security efforts, issues that continue to dog talks.
Jan. 10, 2008 - Bush, during visit to Israel and the West Bank, pushes for peace treaty to be signed within a year, although he later says goal is broader, framework agreement. He calls Israel's role in West Bank an occupation that must end.
Jan. 23 - Militants blow up border wall at Rafah and tens of thousands of Palestinians pour into Egypt from Gaza to shop for food and fuel in short supply because of the Israeli-led blockade. The border is sealed again a few days later.
March 3 - Israeli troops pull out of the Gaza Strip after five-day offensive that killed more than 120 Palestinians, about half of them civilians. An Israeli civilian had been killed by a rocket, and two Israeli soldiers also died. Violence prompted Abbas to briefly suspend talks and U.S. appealed for calm.
March 4 - Egypt calls for ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Cairo has since then been trying to broker a truce but efforts have so far failed to bear fruit.
March 6 - Palestinian gunman kills eight students at Jewish seminary in Jerusalem. Hamas officials claim deadliest attack by Palestinian on Israelis in two years. Gunman also shot dead.
March 23 - Fatah and Hamas sign Yemeni-sponsored deal promising to revive direct talks but dialogue falls apart amid differences over whether Hamas must first cede control of Gaza.
May 8 - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says will resign if indicted in corruption probe but denies wrongdoing after American businessman says he gave him large sums in cash. Risk of Olmert resignation jeopardises U.S.-backed peace process.
May 15 - Bush marks Israel's 60th birthday by telling Israelis they are "chosen people" who can count on U.S. support; says next 60 years will see Palestinians with their own state.
June 4 - Abbas calls for "national and comprehensive dialogue", stoking speculation Hamas and Fatah may be getting ready to talk, but aides play down Abbas comments saying there is no change in his demand Hamas first give up control of Gaza.
June 6 - Olmert indicates major military operation into Gaza looking more likely. Rockets from Gaza have killed three Israeli civilians so far this year. Israeli raids have killed more than 360 Gazans, at least a third of them civilians.
June 11 - Israel's security cabinet backs Egypt's truce efforts but says army has been instructed to prepare for possible offensive if mediation fails.
(Writing by Rebecca Harrison; Editing by Samia Nakhoul)
Following is a chronology of events in the Palestinian territories since Hamas routed its Fatah rivals and seized control of the Gaza Strip a year ago.
June 14, 2007 - Hamas seizes Gaza after overpowering President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah forces in a week of fighting in which at least 100 people were killed. Abbas dismisses Hamas-led unity government and appoints a Fatah-backed administration, led by Salam Fayyad, a technocratic economist favoured by the West.
- The United States soon lifts its economic embargo on the Palestinian government. Other countries follow suit.
- Israel and the new Palestinian government open formal contacts. The Jewish state tightens a blockade of Gaza.
Nov. 27 - U.S. hosts an international conference in Annapolis, Maryland that yields promises from Israel and the Palestinians to try to forge a two-state agreement by the end of 2008, before U.S. President George W. Bush leaves office.
Dec. 12 - Israeli and Palestinian negotiators open talks in discord over Jewish settlement building in the West Bank and Palestinian security efforts, issues that continue to dog talks.
Jan. 10, 2008 - Bush, during visit to Israel and the West Bank, pushes for peace treaty to be signed within a year, although he later says goal is broader, framework agreement. He calls Israel's role in West Bank an occupation that must end.
Jan. 23 - Militants blow up border wall at Rafah and tens of thousands of Palestinians pour into Egypt from Gaza to shop for food and fuel in short supply because of the Israeli-led blockade. The border is sealed again a few days later.
March 3 - Israeli troops pull out of the Gaza Strip after five-day offensive that killed more than 120 Palestinians, about half of them civilians. An Israeli civilian had been killed by a rocket, and two Israeli soldiers also died. Violence prompted Abbas to briefly suspend talks and U.S. appealed for calm.
March 4 - Egypt calls for ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Cairo has since then been trying to broker a truce but efforts have so far failed to bear fruit.
March 6 - Palestinian gunman kills eight students at Jewish seminary in Jerusalem. Hamas officials claim deadliest attack by Palestinian on Israelis in two years. Gunman also shot dead.
March 23 - Fatah and Hamas sign Yemeni-sponsored deal promising to revive direct talks but dialogue falls apart amid differences over whether Hamas must first cede control of Gaza.
May 8 - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says will resign if indicted in corruption probe but denies wrongdoing after American businessman says he gave him large sums in cash. Risk of Olmert resignation jeopardises U.S.-backed peace process.
May 15 - Bush marks Israel's 60th birthday by telling Israelis they are "chosen people" who can count on U.S. support; says next 60 years will see Palestinians with their own state.
June 4 - Abbas calls for "national and comprehensive dialogue", stoking speculation Hamas and Fatah may be getting ready to talk, but aides play down Abbas comments saying there is no change in his demand Hamas first give up control of Gaza.
June 6 - Olmert indicates major military operation into Gaza looking more likely. Rockets from Gaza have killed three Israeli civilians so far this year. Israeli raids have killed more than 360 Gazans, at least a third of them civilians.
June 11 - Israel's security cabinet backs Egypt's truce efforts but says army has been instructed to prepare for possible offensive if mediation fails.
(Writing by Rebecca Harrison; Editing by Samia Nakhoul)
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