Anatomy of failure: How Gaza cease-fire never happened

Tim Lister, CNN
Updated 8:41 PM EDT, Tue July 29, 2014
Palestinians in Gaza celebrate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on Tuesday, August 26. After more than seven weeks of heavy fighting, Israel and Hamas agreed to an open-ended ceasefire that puts off dealing with core long-term issues.
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Palestinians in Gaza celebrate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on Tuesday, August 26. After more than seven weeks of heavy fighting, Israel and Hamas agreed to an open-ended ceasefire that puts off dealing with core long-term issues.
Adel Hana/AP
Palestinians inspect the damage to a residential building following several late night Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on August 26.
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Palestinians inspect the damage to a residential building following several late night Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on August 26.
Khalil Hamra/AP
Gila, center, mother of 4-year-old Israeli boy Daniel Tragerman, sits next to his grave during his funeral near the Israel-Gaza border on Sunday, August 24.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
Gila, center, mother of 4-year-old Israeli boy Daniel Tragerman, sits next to his grave during his funeral near the Israel-Gaza border on Sunday, August 24.
Oren Ziv/AP
Palestinians run away from debris after a bomb from an Israeli airstrike hit a house in Gaza on Saturday, August 23.
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Palestinians run away from debris after a bomb from an Israeli airstrike hit a house in Gaza on Saturday, August 23.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
An Israeli soldier smokes a cigarette in a large concrete pipe used as shelter at an army deployment point near the Israeli-Gaza border on Wednesday, August 20.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
An Israeli soldier smokes a cigarette in a large concrete pipe used as shelter at an army deployment point near the Israeli-Gaza border on Wednesday, August 20.
MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty Images
Light trails made by rockets fired from the Gaza Strip stand out against the night sky on Tuesday, August 19. Despite efforts to come to a peaceful agreement, Gaza militants launched rockets into Israel on Tuesday, and Israel responded with its own rockets.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
Light trails made by rockets fired from the Gaza Strip stand out against the night sky on Tuesday, August 19. Despite efforts to come to a peaceful agreement, Gaza militants launched rockets into Israel on Tuesday, and Israel responded with its own rockets.
DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images
An injured Palestinian man is helped into the Shifa hospital in Gaza City on August 19.
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An injured Palestinian man is helped into the Shifa hospital in Gaza City on August 19.
Khalil Hamra/AP
Police examine the remains of a rocket launched from Gaza that landed near the kibbutz of Yad Mordechay on August 19.
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Police examine the remains of a rocket launched from Gaza that landed near the kibbutz of Yad Mordechay on August 19.
DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City on August 19.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City on August 19.
Adel Hana/AP
Islam El Masri begins to sort through the rubble of her destroyed home in Beit Hanoun, Gaza, on Thursday, August 14.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
Islam El Masri begins to sort through the rubble of her destroyed home in Beit Hanoun, Gaza, on Thursday, August 14.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Israelis gather in Tel Aviv during a protest August 14 calling on the government and the army to end Palestinian rocket attacks from Gaza once and for all.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
Israelis gather in Tel Aviv during a protest August 14 calling on the government and the army to end Palestinian rocket attacks from Gaza once and for all.
GALI TIBBON/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke rises in Gaza City after an airstrike on Saturday, August 9.
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Smoke rises in Gaza City after an airstrike on Saturday, August 9.
Dusan Vranic/AP
Israeli soldiers walk past a Merkava tank as they patrol a field near Israel's border with Gaza on August 9.
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Israeli soldiers walk past a Merkava tank as they patrol a field near Israel's border with Gaza on August 9.
DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images
A Palestinian boy salvages family belongings from the rubble of a four-story building after an airstrike in Gaza City on Friday, August 8.
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A Palestinian boy salvages family belongings from the rubble of a four-story building after an airstrike in Gaza City on Friday, August 8.
Adel Hana/AP
Israelis flee after a rocket fired from Gaza hit the residential neighborhood of Sderot, Israel, on August 8.
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Israelis flee after a rocket fired from Gaza hit the residential neighborhood of Sderot, Israel, on August 8.
Tsafrir Abayov
A Palestinian man looks out over destruction in the al-Tufah neighborhood of Gaza City on Wednesday, August 6.
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A Palestinian man looks out over destruction in the al-Tufah neighborhood of Gaza City on Wednesday, August 6.
MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images
Displaced Palestinians carry their belongings as they leave a United Nations school in Beit Lahiya, Gaza, to return to their homes Tuesday, August 5.
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Displaced Palestinians carry their belongings as they leave a United Nations school in Beit Lahiya, Gaza, to return to their homes Tuesday, August 5.
MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images
The body of Avrohom Wallis is carried during his funeral in Jerusalem on Monday, August 4. Wallis was killed in what Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld called a "terror attack," when a man drove an earthmover into a bus in Jerusalem.
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The body of Avrohom Wallis is carried during his funeral in Jerusalem on Monday, August 4. Wallis was killed in what Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld called a "terror attack," when a man drove an earthmover into a bus in Jerusalem.
Sebastian Scheiner/AP
Israeli soldiers fire a mortar shell toward Gaza from the Israeli side of the border on August 4.
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Israeli soldiers fire a mortar shell toward Gaza from the Israeli side of the border on August 4.
Tsafrir Abayov/AP
Palestinians remove rubble from a house hit by an airstrike in the al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City on August 4.
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Palestinians remove rubble from a house hit by an airstrike in the al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City on August 4.
MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images
An Israeli drone circles over Gaza City on Sunday, August 3.
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An Israeli drone circles over Gaza City on Sunday, August 3.
Dusan Vranic/AP
A Palestinian man sits in a hospital in Rafah, Gaza, on August 3.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
A Palestinian man sits in a hospital in Rafah, Gaza, on August 3.
Khalil Hamra/AP
An honor guard caries the coffin of Israeli Lt. Hadar Goldin during his funeral in Kfar-saba, Israel, on August 3. Goldin was thought to have been captured during fighting in Gaza but was later declared killed in action by the Israel Defense Forces.
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An honor guard caries the coffin of Israeli Lt. Hadar Goldin during his funeral in Kfar-saba, Israel, on August 3. Goldin was thought to have been captured during fighting in Gaza but was later declared killed in action by the Israel Defense Forces.
Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images
A Palestinian boy looks for belongings after an airstrike in Rafah on Saturday, August 2.
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A Palestinian boy looks for belongings after an airstrike in Rafah on Saturday, August 2.
Hatem Ali/AP
Israeli soldiers walk to their tank at a staging area near the border with Gaza on August 2.
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Israeli soldiers walk to their tank at a staging area near the border with Gaza on August 2.
Tsafrir Abayov/AP
A young Palestinian carries damaged copies of the Quran from the rubble of the Imam Al Shafaey mosque in Gaza City on August 2.
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A young Palestinian carries damaged copies of the Quran from the rubble of the Imam Al Shafaey mosque in Gaza City on August 2.
Lefteris Pitarakis/AP
Palestinians displaced from their houses return to check their homes in Gaza City on Friday, August 1.
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Palestinians displaced from their houses return to check their homes in Gaza City on Friday, August 1.
MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images
An Israeli soldier carries a shell as he prepares a tank along the Israel-Gaza border on Thursday, July 31. Israel called up 16,000 additional reservists, bolstering forces for its fight against Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
An Israeli soldier carries a shell as he prepares a tank along the Israel-Gaza border on Thursday, July 31. Israel called up 16,000 additional reservists, bolstering forces for its fight against Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke rises from a building after an airstrike in Rafah on July 31.
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Smoke rises from a building after an airstrike in Rafah on July 31.
SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images
The parents and a sister of Israeli soldier Guy Algranati mourn during his funeral in Tel Aviv on July 31.
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The parents and a sister of Israeli soldier Guy Algranati mourn during his funeral in Tel Aviv on July 31.
GALI TIBBON/AFP/Getty Images
U.N. workers remove a donkey injured at a U.N.-run school in Gaza on Wednesday, July 30.
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U.N. workers remove a donkey injured at a U.N.-run school in Gaza on Wednesday, July 30.
Lefteris Pitarakis/AP
Palestinians walk under the collapsed minaret of a destroyed mosque in Gaza City on July 30.
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Palestinians walk under the collapsed minaret of a destroyed mosque in Gaza City on July 30.
OLIVER WEIKEN/EPA/LANDOV
Palestinians gather leaflets that fell from an Israeli plane on July 30. The leaflets warned residents of airstrikes in Gaza City.
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Palestinians gather leaflets that fell from an Israeli plane on July 30. The leaflets warned residents of airstrikes in Gaza City.
Hatem Moussa/AP
Israelis take cover from a Palestinian rocket attack from Gaza during the funeral of Israeli soldier Meidan Maymon Biton, which was held at a cemetery in Netivot, Israel, on Tuesday, July 29.
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Israelis take cover from a Palestinian rocket attack from Gaza during the funeral of Israeli soldier Meidan Maymon Biton, which was held at a cemetery in Netivot, Israel, on Tuesday, July 29.
GIL COHEN MAGEN/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke and fire rise above Gaza City after an Israeli airstrike on July 29.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
Smoke and fire rise above Gaza City after an Israeli airstrike on July 29.
Hatem Moussa/AP
An Israeli soldier prays on the Israeli side of the border with Gaza on July 29 as smoke billows from the only power plant supplying electricity to Gaza.
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An Israeli soldier prays on the Israeli side of the border with Gaza on July 29 as smoke billows from the only power plant supplying electricity to Gaza.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
Near the rubble of their home in Rafah, Palestinian men mourn July 29 for people killed during an airstrike.
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Near the rubble of their home in Rafah, Palestinian men mourn July 29 for people killed during an airstrike.
SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images
A Palestinian man places a portrait of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya on the rubble of Haniya's Gaza City home July 29 after it was hit by an overnight airstrike.
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A Palestinian man places a portrait of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya on the rubble of Haniya's Gaza City home July 29 after it was hit by an overnight airstrike.
ASHRAF AMRA/APA/Landov
Flares from Israeli forces light up the night sky of Gaza City on July 29.
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Flares from Israeli forces light up the night sky of Gaza City on July 29.
Khalil Hamra/AP
Israeli soldiers carry the coffin of 2nd Lt. Roy Peles, an infantry officer who was killed in combat, during his funeral in Tel Aviv on Sunday, July 27.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
Israeli soldiers carry the coffin of 2nd Lt. Roy Peles, an infantry officer who was killed in combat, during his funeral in Tel Aviv on Sunday, July 27.
Ariel Schalit/AP
During a 12-hour cease-fire in Gaza City's Shijaiyah neighborhood on Saturday, July 26, a Palestinian man sits atop a car filled with belongings that were salvaged from a destroyed home.
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During a 12-hour cease-fire in Gaza City's Shijaiyah neighborhood on Saturday, July 26, a Palestinian man sits atop a car filled with belongings that were salvaged from a destroyed home.
Khalil Hamra/AP
Israeli soldiers watch a bomb explode along the border with Gaza before the 12-hour cease-fire on July 26.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
Israeli soldiers watch a bomb explode along the border with Gaza before the 12-hour cease-fire on July 26.
Tsafrir Abayov/AP
As her brother-in-law Mazen Keferna weeps on the ground, Manal Keferna cries upon discovering her family home destroyed by airstrikes in Beit Hanoun on July 26.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
As her brother-in-law Mazen Keferna weeps on the ground, Manal Keferna cries upon discovering her family home destroyed by airstrikes in Beit Hanoun on July 26.
Lefteris Pitarakis/AP
Palestinians dig a body out of the rubble of a destroyed house in Gaza during the cease-fire on July 26.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
Palestinians dig a body out of the rubble of a destroyed house in Gaza during the cease-fire on July 26.
Khalil Hamra/AP
An Israeli soldier mourns at the grave of reserve Master Sgt. Yair Ashkenazy during his funeral at the military cemetery in Rehovot, Israel, on Friday, July 25. Ashkenazy was killed during operations in northern Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces reported.
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An Israeli soldier mourns at the grave of reserve Master Sgt. Yair Ashkenazy during his funeral at the military cemetery in Rehovot, Israel, on Friday, July 25. Ashkenazy was killed during operations in northern Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces reported.
Dan Balilty/AP
A Palestinian man cries after bringing a child to the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahiya on Thursday, July 24. The child was wounded in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/24/world/meast/mideast-crisis/index.html">a strike on a school</a> that was serving as a shelter for families in Gaza. It's unclear who was behind the strike. The Israeli military said it was "reviewing" the incident, telling CNN that a rocket fired from Gaza could have been responsible.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
A Palestinian man cries after bringing a child to the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahiya on Thursday, July 24. The child was wounded in a strike on a school that was serving as a shelter for families in Gaza. It's unclear who was behind the strike. The Israeli military said it was "reviewing" the incident, telling CNN that a rocket fired from Gaza could have been responsible.
Lefteris Pitarakis/AP
Israeli soldiers carry a wounded soldier to a helicopter near the Israel-Gaza border on July 24.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
Israeli soldiers carry a wounded soldier to a helicopter near the Israel-Gaza border on July 24.
Dusan Vranic/AP
Israeli soldiers patrol the Israel-Gaza border on July 24.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
Israeli soldiers patrol the Israel-Gaza border on July 24.
Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images
A trail of blood is seen in the courtyard of the school that was hit July 24 in the Beit Hanoun district of Gaza.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
A trail of blood is seen in the courtyard of the school that was hit July 24 in the Beit Hanoun district of Gaza.
MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images
An Israeli tank fires toward Gaza from a position near Israel's border on July 24.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
An Israeli tank fires toward Gaza from a position near Israel's border on July 24.
DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images
A photograph <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Alex/status/492003157531451392/photo/1" target="_blank" target="_blank">tweeted by astronaut Alexander Gerst</a> on Wednesday, July 23, shows major cities of Israel and Gaza. Gerst said in his tweet: "My saddest photo yet. From #ISS we can actually see explosions and rockets flying over #Gaza & #Israel."
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A photograph tweeted by astronaut Alexander Gerst on Wednesday, July 23, shows major cities of Israel and Gaza. Gerst said in his tweet: "My saddest photo yet. From #ISS we can actually see explosions and rockets flying over #Gaza & #Israel."
courtesy alexander gerst
A woman in Philadelphia passes by a departure board that shows US Airways Flight 796, scheduled to fly to Tel Aviv, has been canceled on Tuesday, July 22. The Federal Aviation Administration told U.S. airlines they were temporarily prohibited from flying to the Tel Aviv airport after a Hamas rocket exploded nearby.
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A woman in Philadelphia passes by a departure board that shows US Airways Flight 796, scheduled to fly to Tel Aviv, has been canceled on Tuesday, July 22. The Federal Aviation Administration told U.S. airlines they were temporarily prohibited from flying to the Tel Aviv airport after a Hamas rocket exploded nearby.
Matt Rourke/AP
Smoke and fire from the explosion of an Israeli strike rise over Gaza City on July 22.
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Smoke and fire from the explosion of an Israeli strike rise over Gaza City on July 22.
Hatem Moussa/AP
A relative of Israeli soldier Jordan Ben-Simon mourns over his coffin during his funeral in Ashkelon, Israel, on July 22.
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A relative of Israeli soldier Jordan Ben-Simon mourns over his coffin during his funeral in Ashkelon, Israel, on July 22.
Tsafrir Abayov/AP
Palestinians inspect destroyed buildings and collect usable items after an Israeli air assault on July 22.
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Palestinians inspect destroyed buildings and collect usable items after an Israeli air assault on July 22.
Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Israeli soldiers weep at the grave of Israeli Sgt. Adar Barsano during his funeral Sunday, July 20, in Nahariya, Israel.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
Israeli soldiers weep at the grave of Israeli Sgt. Adar Barsano during his funeral Sunday, July 20, in Nahariya, Israel.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images
Palestinian medics carry a body in Gaza's Shaja'ia district on July 20.
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Palestinian medics carry a body in Gaza's Shaja'ia district on July 20.
Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images
Israeli soldiers give medical care to soldiers who were wounded during an offensive in Gaza on July 20.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
Israeli soldiers give medical care to soldiers who were wounded during an offensive in Gaza on July 20.
Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images
A Palestinian boy injured during an Israeli airstrike is taken to the hospital by his father in Gaza City on July 20.
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A Palestinian boy injured during an Israeli airstrike is taken to the hospital by his father in Gaza City on July 20.
Mohammed Asad/Getty Images
Palestinians flee their homes as Israeli troops focus their firepower on the Gaza town of Shaja'ia on Sunday, July 20. The shelling and bombing killed at least 60 people and wounded 300, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
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Palestinians flee their homes as Israeli troops focus their firepower on the Gaza town of Shaja'ia on Sunday, July 20. The shelling and bombing killed at least 60 people and wounded 300, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke rises after an Israeli missile hit Shaja'ia on July 20.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
Smoke rises after an Israeli missile hit Shaja'ia on July 20.
Adel Hana/AP
A Palestinian child walks on debris from a destroyed house following an overnight Israeli strike in Beit Lahiya on Saturday, July 19.
Israel-Gaza crisis —
A Palestinian child walks on debris from a destroyed house following an overnight Israeli strike in Beit Lahiya on Saturday, July 19.
Lefteris Pitarakis/AP