TIMELINE - Israeli-Hamas violence since truce ended

(Reuters) - Here is a timeline of events since a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip ended last month.

December 14, 2008 - Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal says the group will not renew a six-month-old truce with Israel.

December 18 - Hamas declares the end of the cease-fire, which expires the next day with a surge of cross-border fighting.

December 24 - Gaza Palestinian militants fire rockets at Israel.

December 27 - Israel launches air strikes on Gaza in response to the rocket and mortar fire, killing at least 229 Palestinians.

December 28 - Israeli air strikes hit the Islamic University and target smuggling tunnels in the Gaza Strip that provide a lifeline to the outside world.

December 29 - Israel bombs the Hamas-run Interior Ministry and declares areas around the Gaza Strip a closed military zone. Palestinian militants fire rockets deeper into southern Israel.

December 31 - Emergency U.N. Security Council session on Arab resolution calling for cease-fire adjourns without a vote.

January 1, 2009 - Israel kills Nizar Rayyan, a hardline Hamas leader, in an air attack on his Gaza Strip home.