حماية المدنيين | 16 - 20 كانون الثاني/يناير 2009

After weeks of hostilities, Israel declared a unilateral cease-fire to come into effect at 0200 18 January. Hamas and other Palestinian factions also announced a unilateral cease-fire on 18 January. From the start of the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip on 27 December to 19 January, 1,314 Palestinians were killed and more than 5,300 injured, according to the Palestinian Minister of Health. As access inside the Gaza Strip has improved, widespread damage has been reported. UN Secretary-General visited Gaza and was "deeply grieved" by the "heartbreaking scenes" he witnessed.