A tahdi'a or truce between Israel and Hamas revolving around the Gaza Strip, concluded on 18 June 2008. The Egyptian-brokered understanding went into effect the next day, though no official text was agreed on. The purpose of the truce was to end a period of low-intensity conflict, including rocket fire from the Strip and Israeli airstrikes, that had been going on since Hamas' 2007 takeover of the Strip and the subsequent Israeli blockade. The parties agreed to cease military actions, with Israel allowing an increasing number of goods to enter the Strip. Hostilities resumed in November, and in December Israel launched Operation Cast Lead, also known as the Gaza War.