Timeline of Hamas-Fatah struggle over Gaza

_ Sept. 11, 2005: The last Israeli soldiers and settlers leave Gaza, completing Israel's withdrawal after 38 years of military occupation.

_ Jan. 25, 2006: In election of a West Bank-Gaza parliament, Hamas wins 76 of 132 seats, most of them in Gaza. Western powers cut off aid to the Palestinians, and Israel withholds tax revenues. Repeated power-sharing efforts between Hamas and West Bank-based President Mahmoud Abbas collapse because of internal fighting in Gaza.

_ June 14, 2007: Hamas defeats Abbas' forces in Gaza after five days of battle and sets up its own government in Gaza. Israel and Egypt seal Gaza's borders.

_ June 18, 2008: A cease-fire between Israel and Hamas ends rocket attacks from Gaza and Israeli strikes against wanted militants, freeing Hamas to focus on tightening its grip on government. Israel eases its border blockade.

_ July 25, 2008: A bomb on a Gaza City beach kills five Hamas militants and a little girl. Hamas blames Abbas supporters and shuts down their remaining offices. Abbas responds with a similar crackdown on Hamas in the West Bank.

_ Late August 2008: Teachers and health workers in Gaza heed their West Bank-based unions' strike call. Hamas defeats the challenge by hiring replacement teachers and forcing most doctors back to work.

_ Late September 2008: Hamas tightens its control over the smuggling tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border that are one of the territory's economic lifelines.