The beginning of the control of Hamas in the Gaza Strip in 2007 divided the territory controlled by the Palestinian Authority into two parts: the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas in Gaza, and the West Bank, governed by the Palestinian National Authority.

2006 Palestinian Parliamentary Elections
In 2006, Hamas, a Palestinian Islamic political organization successfully gained control in the Palestinian parliamentary elections, with 76 of the 132 seats, while the previous ruling party, Fatah, took 43. After the election, tension grew between Hamas and Fatah. Following a battle between Fatah and Hamas in the Gaza Strip during the second week of June, 2007, Hamas forced Fatah out of the Gaza Strip and remained in control of the area.

At that time, elected Hamas officials were removed from their positions in the Palestinian National Authority government in the West Bank, replaced by Fatah members and independents.

Hamas in Gaza and Mortar Attacks on Israel
Three days after the Battle in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of the Fatah party outlawed the Hamas militia. Israel implemented an economic blockade on the Gaza Strip, and Hamas in Gaza launched rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip near the Israeli border.

Though a six month ceasefire kept things relatively calm, fighting increased when it expired. As 2008 ended, Israel attacked Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Though Israel removed its forces by mid January 2009, it has retained the blockade against the Gaza Strip border since then.

Hamas in Gaza Attacks on Israel – Statistics
Since 2005, approximately 7,200 rockets and mortars have been launched at Israel from Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Hamas gained a majority in the Palestinian Parliament in 2006. Before that time there were on average 15 rocket/mortar attacks per month. Between Hamas' Parliamentary victory and the rule of Hamas in Gaza, attacks averaged 102 per month. In the first year of the rule of Hamas in the Gaza Strip there were on average 361 attacks per month.
During the six weeks between November 4 and December 19, 2008, as Israel implemented Operation Double Challenge (targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip plan to kidnap Israeli soldiers), there were 170 mortars fired and 260 rockets fired at Israel. During the first week of Operation Cast Lead, from December 19, 2008 until December 27, 2008, there were an estimated 300 mortars and rockets fired into Israel.