IN PICTURES: 14 years on Israel’s 2008 assault on Gaza

Besieged Gaza Strip (QNN)- On 27 December 2008, Israeli occupation launched a three-week military offensive against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, killing about 1,500 Palestinians and injuring many thousands others.

The Operation Cast Lead began at 11am on a Saturday morning, with Israeli jets firing on targets across the strip.

In this aggression, Israel “launched at least 300 air and sea strikes against the Gaza Strip. These strikes targeted 37 houses; 67 security and training sites; 20 workshops; 25 public and private institutions; seven mosques; and three educational institutions,” according to a report by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights.

Ynet reported at the time that “80 jets, warplanes and helicopters dropped over 100 bombs on dozens of targets [during] the initial strike.” Among the targets were the small fishing port and the main police compound in Gaza City.