On Dec. 27, Israel began "Operation Cast Lead" to stop Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza from continuing its decade-long campaign of attacking Israeli civilians with thousands of rockets, missiles and mortars.

Following are facts and figures released by the IDF and related to
Israel's decision to launch "Operation Cast Lead":

9,400+   Rockets and mortars fired from Gaza since 2003.

3,200+   Rockets and mortars fired from Gaza in 2008.

6,500+   Rockets and mortars fired from Gaza since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005.

543+     Rockets and mortars fired from Gaza into Israeli territory during the ceasefire from June
            19 to Dec. 19, 2008.

28         Deaths caused by rockets and mortars fired from Gaza into Israel since 2001, including
             Israelis, Palestinians and foreign workers.

1,000+   People in Israel injured from rockets and mortars fired from Gaza since 2001.

20,000   Hamas and allied militiamen Israel is targeting as part of "Operation Cast Lead."

750,000  Number of Israeli civilians that Hamas rockets can now reach.

15       Seconds Israelis have to get to a bomb shelter once a warning siren has sounded.

8      Years that Israel has been hit by rockets and mortars from Gaza.