Numerous Palestinian terror attacks have originated in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), an area that lies in close proximity to Israeli population centers. At one point, the distance from the 1949 armistice line (the Green Line) to the Mediterranean Sea is only about 14.5 km. (9 miles). This narrow part of central Israel, stretching along the coastline between Hadera and Gedera, includes the city of Tel Aviv and constitutes the core of Israel's economic life, where millions of Israelis live and work.

In fact, all of Israel’s major towns as well as most of the strategic locations in the country are within firing range of Judea and Samaria. For instance, Ben Gurion International Airport is only about 6 km (4 miles) away from the Green Line. Therefore, even fairly short-range rockets or mortar shells could paralyze Israel's vital air connection with the world.