B'Tselem says 773 of an estimated more than 1,300 people killed in the offensive, dubbed Operation Cast Lead, were civilians, including 320 children under the age of 18.

VOA: standard.2009.09.09

"The Human Rights Council mandates for the report specifically targeted Israeli actions, ignoring,ignoring the deliberate Hamas attacks on civilians that provoked Israel's self-defense in Operation Cast Lead .

VOA: standard.2009.11.04

Bolivia and Venezuela cut their diplomatic ties with Israel in January 2009 after siding with Hamas in Operation Cast Lead.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Why Latin America turned

Specifically, since as Israel's leaders during Operation Cast Lead Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni are responsible for Israel's current predicament, it is necessary to understand their Kadima party's operating rationale.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Kadima's strategy for success

Just under a year later, Israel launched Operation "Cast Lead".

BBC: Slow recovery from wounds of Gaza conflict