Jan.: PM Sharon suffers a stroke; Ehud Olmert takes over.
25 Jan.: Palestinian elections – Hamas defeats Fatah, forms government with Ismail Haniyeh as PM.
April.: US and EU suspend aid to “Hamas government”.
25 June: Israeli soldier Shalit is kidnapped to Gaza.
28 June.: Israel launches “Operation Summer Rain” in Rafah, Gaza.
1 Nov.: Israel launches “Operation Autumn Clouds” in Beit Hanoun, Gaza.