March: Prime Minister Sharon’s Israel withdraws from Gaza Strip; as part of the “package deal,” President George W. Bush gives Israel a “letter” to the effect that the large Jewish population centers on the West Bank, “facts on the ground,” will be accommodated in any political settlement.
Israel exits, but the eventual Hamas leadership in Gaza allows (with varying levels of encouragement) various militant groups to fire rockets into the contiguous Israeli population areas, Sderot (2006 and through this publication date); then, as well, much larger Ashkelon (2008).
This rocketry gambit will ultimately lead to Gaza War (Israeli operation “Cast Lead”) in January 2009.