TIMELINE: Israeli-Hamas violence since ceasefire ended

(Reuters) - Here is a timeline of events since a six-month ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip ended last month.

The ceasefire had been eroded by violence from both sides since early November, when Israel killed several gunmen in air and ground raids, and Hamas fired rockets into southern Israel.

December 19, 2008 - Ceasefire expires.

December 24 - Gaza Palestinian militants fire rockets at Israel.

December 27 - Israel launches air strikes on Gaza in response to the rocket and mortar fire, killing at least 229 Palestinians.

December 28 - Israeli air strikes hit the Islamic University and target smuggling tunnels in the Gaza Strip.

December 31 - Emergency U.N. Security Council session on Arab resolution calling for ceasefire adjourns without a vote.

January 1, 2009 - Israel kills Nizar Rayyan, a hardline Hamas leader, in an air attack on his Gaza Strip home.

January 3 - Israel launches a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, sending tanks and infantry into battle with Hamas.

January 4 - Israelis cut the strip in half from the border fence to the Mediterranean. Troops and armor ring Gaza City.

January 5 - French President Nicolas Sarkozy, on a peace mission, and U.S. President George W. Bush, appeal for a ceasefire.

January 6 - Israeli shelling kills 42 Palestinians at a U.N. school in Jabalya refugee camp where civilians had taken shelter.

-- Egypt, backed by France and other European powers, propose an immediate ceasefire.

January 7 - Violence resumes after a three-hour Gaza truce.

-- Israel says it views "positively" talks with Cairo over a wider ceasefire plan promoted by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Sarkozy.

January 8 - Rockets fired from Lebanon strike northern Israel, wounding two people.