The failure of the peace process , increased Palestinian terror and occasional attacks by Hezbollah from Lebanon , led much of the Israeli public and political leadership to lose confidence in the Palestinian Authority as a peace partner . Most felt that many Palestinians viewed the peace treaty with Israel as a temporary measure only . Many Israelis were thus anxious to disengage from the Palestinians . In response to a wave of suicide bomb attacks , culminating in the " Passover massacre " ( see List of Israeli civilian casualties in the Second Intifada ) , Israel launched Operation Defensive Shield in March 2002 , and Sharon began the construction of a barrier around the West Bank . Around the same time , the Israeli town of Sderot and other Israeli communities near Gaza became subject to constant shelling and mortar bomb attacks from Gaza
Passover massacre
Passover massacre
History of Israel