so if i understand correctly, youre saying that rocket attacks against gush katif wouldnt have classified it as a terrorist state, only now that theyre hitting ashkelon etc
Of course it would have.
What im saying is,that the Gush Katif withdrawal was terrible for so many reasons.
In the West Bank, Israel has no problem going into Ramallah one night and taking care of business or arresting someone. Same used to be said about Gaza, since by protecting Gush Katif, Israel had a presense in Gaza, and would take care of things at night. Plus the enemy would concentrate more on the Gush Katif residents then by hitting all of Israel, plus the would'nt be able to shoot right near Israel's border since Israel was patrolling in Gaza, thus forcing those firing the rockets to fire from much further down south, having less of an effect on mainstream Israel . Now, Israel has no way of entering Gaza unless it becomes a massive invasion, which Israel wants to avoid at this time.