Barak’s inability to cement a second Camp David agreement and Arafat’s growing fear of Hamas led to a second Intifada. Unlike the first Intifada, this one was led by the Islamists and was characterised by suicide bombings and attacks on Israeli civilians.

The election for the office of prime minister led to the defeat of Barak and his replacement by Sharon who embarked on a policy to crush the Intifada and to isolate Arafat.

The Intifada effectively ended with the targeted killings by the Israelis of the Hamas spiritual mentor, Sheikh Yassin, his successors and several other Palestinian leaders. Arafat himself died in 2004.

Sharon’s espousal of a unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 led to a split in the Likud and a realignment of Israeli politics. The formation of Kadima under Sharon led to figures such as Peres joining the new party. Netanyahu who had led a privatisation initiative while Finance Minister under Sharon now became the head of a Likud rump.

Sharon’s stroke in 2006 led to Kadima’s Ehud Olmert becoming prime minister. Olmert’s unsuccessful invasion of Lebanon and his being mired in scandals and court cases, led to his resignation. Bolstered by Olmert’s Annapolis agreement with the Palestinians, he was succeeded by Tsipi Livni. An election was held in 2009 in which Kadima emerged as the largest party. However she was unable to form a coalition due mainly to ultra-orthodox parties and far Right parties. Netanyahu once again became prime minister.

Operation Cast Lead was launched against Gaza in an attempt to prevent Qassam missiles being fired into Israel.