January 2, 2009

By Ted Belman

One of the talking points used by Palestinians is that Israel broke the lull in November and therefor Hamas decided not to renew it on Dec 19.

Here is Wikipedia’s history of breaches.

November 1, 2007
In an unprecedented rocket barrage, eight mortar shells and 13 Quassam rockets are fired at the Western Negev within an hour.[116][117]
November 4, 2007
Three Qassams are fired into Israel causing a blackout, Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility.
Shortly after the firing, Israeli choppers and planes flew over the strip, targeting a launching and fired several missiles at the cell. Three Palestinians were killed in the attack, and several others wounded. Palestinian doctors said all civilians, while Islamic Jihad said one of its members was killed and another clinically dead.
In a second strike, minutes later, IAF fired missiles at another launching squad, according to the IDF. Two Palestinians died.[118][119]

November 15, 2007
Two Quassam launchers, two members of the Fatah affiliated Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade are killed by an IAF attack while launching Qassams.[120]
November 21, 2007
A rocket barrage of five Quassam rockets and 18 mortar shells hit the Western Negev, including several kibbutzim, Sderot and Ashekelon. A woman in Ashkelon was treated for shock.[121][122]
November 26, 2007
A Hamas operative is killed as he and his cell were launching Qassams at Sderot. Three Qassams landed inside Israeli territory, causing an IAF attack at the launchers, killing one and injuring four more.[123]
November 27, 2007
IAF helicopters and planes bombed a Hamas post in Southern Gaza, after the militant group had fired at least ten mortar shells into Israeli territory. A Hamas militant, who was inside the building when the planes attacked was killed in the blasts.
December 2, 2007
A mortar barrage hits a kibbutz, causing some damage.
December 3, 2007
Three more Hamas fighters are killed while trying to launch mortars near Beit Lahiya. They were killed by Armored Corps soldiers.
Four IDF soldiers are hurt as a mortar shell explodes near their base, in Nahal Oz.
December 5, 2007
Three Hamas militants are overnight killed while launching mortars at Sderot. One of the mortars hit a residential building, causing a woman in shock and a lot of damage.[126]
December 11, 2007
In a large operation inside the Gaza Strip, the biggest since the Hamas take-over in June 6, 2007. Eight Palestinians are killed and more than 60 detained. More than 30 tanks and bulldozers entered the Southern Gaza Strip, backed by helicopters and airplanes. Three militants of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad are killed by an Israeli tankshell, while missiles killed two other gunman, it was not immediately clear to what faction they belonged. Four Israeli soldiers were injured by Palestinian gunman, who fired several RPG missiles at the Israeli soldiers.[127]

Hamas continually breached the lull and Israel responded. From Israel’s point of view, she would have preferred that the lull went on forever.