History of Violence

" All of until now it's been a war -- missiles and rockets but today the show -- Gaza got personal. A major gun battle on the outskirts of Gaza City -- ready are -- reporting a shoot out between Hamas militants and Israeli soldiers. The soldiers seizing control of 36 story buildings. This just a couple of days after Israel launched its ground offensive into the Gaza Strip. An action it claims was provoked by continuing Hamas rocket fire. Launched from Gaza targeting Israeli civilians. Tonight hospitals in Gaza say they're overwhelmed with patients and bodies UN in Gaza health officials report 550 Palestinians many of them civilians. Had been killed. While another 2500 have been injured. On the other side the violence has killed at least five Israelis and if all this sounds familiar. There's a good reason. Occupied by Israel since 1967. The Gaza Strip a narrow stretch of land along the Mediterranean has a long history of violent. In the summer of 2005. Palestinians regain control of the area. And Israel withdrew all settlers and soldiers. As the last of the Israelis pulled down thousands of Palestinians. The Gaza Strip is now home to nearly one and a half million Palestinians. And it's believed to be one of dean most densely populated places on earth. Also consider this Gaza is roughly twice the size of Washington DC. 2006. Fighting broke out between rival Palestinian factions. The more moderate ruling Fatah. And the terrorist group Hamas. The violence led President Mahmoud Abbas to dissolve the government and call for early elections selections that Hamas won. The victory raised fears of a new wave of fighting between Israel and Hamas and it did happen. There was a military offensive that summer. And in 2007. Israel targeted Hamas leaders -- airstrikes. In November 2007. Israel and the Palestinians. Agreed to peace talks at a summit sponsored by President Bush. Stalled after another round of violence in February of 2008. Late last year under heavy US pressure Israel and Hamas agreed to a six month cease fire. They didn't end all of the attacks but notably reduced them. Fire fire last month. Hamas leaders said they would not renew the truth. Current conflict began. And that is where we are now Mike Tobin is -- on the border between Israel and Gaza Mike a moment ago we mentioned big gun bond battle tell us about that. You."

" We'll have been a number of gun battles in the little villages neighborhoods and refugee camps -- around Gaza City. As S soldiers are now involved in that messy and dangerous work of going street to street house to house and some of those little villages. One particular incident involved an unplanned incident that is still being controlled by the Israeli censors in terms of what I can tell you all I can really tell you that there have been grave consequences for the Israeli forces they had to respond with overwhelming force to resolve that one -- we also learned today about an alleged Hamas plot to capture Israeli soldiers what do we know about that. Well really it's an -- you've heard the Hamas leadership being rather -- be even saying that they're trying to final roommates -- like -- Israeli soldier who's been held by Hamas for more than two years and we know now that Israeli forces were -- Were advancing on foot toward the positions they now take up in the Gaza Strip that's -- Hamas militants popped out of a tunnel and attempted to drag at least one soldier. Back into that tunnel a gunfight ensued and we can now report that at least one Israeli soldier was killed in that incident. By October live for -- along the Israel Gaza border Mike thank you --"