Major Trends in 2008

• In general, the number of terror attacks was similar to that of previous years, despite the "Lull". This was due to the worsening of the situation in the Gaza Strip in the first half of the year, as well as following the end of the "Lull" (Dec 19).
• The trend of a decrease in the number of suicide attacks continued. In 2008, like the previous year, one suicide attack was carried out (Dimona, February, 2008 resulting in 1 woman killed and 28 wounded).
• Increase in the number of people killed in 2008 (36 in contrast to13 in 2007).
• The Gaza Strip maintained its position as the principal "manufacturer" of terror. There was a large increase in rocket launching in 2008 even in contrast to 2007: more than 2000 launchings, as compared with 1271 in 2007.
• Judea and Samaria: the trend of a decrease in the extent of terror (largely in Samaria) continued. Most of the terror attacks in this area were incidents of violent popular resistance, and there occurred a significant decrease in the number of shooting and explosives attacks.
• Jerusalem: increased involvement of East Jerusalem residents in terror, as well as in the number of casualties due to terror attacks in the city. A prominent phenomenon: the "lone terrorist," as exemplified in 3 vehicle attacks and the lethal shooting attack at the "Merkaz ha-Rav" religious seminary.
• The end of 2008 was marked by the end of the "Lull" and the escalation of hightrajectory fire towards Israel; resulting in Operation Cast Lead. This led to a significant increase in the number of terror attacks and the number of casualties.