A year-end review by the Israel Security Agency or Shin Bet concluded that since Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, the small coastal territory has become the leading source of anti-Israel Islamic terrorism.

In addition to the huge number of rockets and mortars shells fired from Gaza at southern Israel, the report noted that funds and know-how are now flowing from Gaza-based terror groups to their comrades in Judea and Samaria. A string of intelligence reports over the past two years have revealed that Gaza terrorists receive regular funding and training from Iran and Iranian-backed terror groups, such as Lebanon's Hizballah.

Right-wing Israeli leaders warned prior to the 2005 pullout that, far from fostering peace with the Palestinians, Israel's withdrawal from Gaza would result in the area becoming a world-class terrorist haven.