Now One Would Think They'd Wait A Bit, But No...

[Annie]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/08/15/gaza.pullout/index.html?section=cnn_topstories

Gaza pullout proceeds despite some violence
Israeli soldiers serve eviction notices on Jewish settlers

GAZA CITY (CNN) -- The first day of Israel's historic pullout from Gaza and parts of the West Bank sparked some violence on Monday, but no injuries or damage were reported, the Israeli military said.

Soldiers were issuing eviction notices to settlers informing them they have until Wednesday to leave, or be removed by force.

The withdrawal of Israeli forces and settlers marks the first such move since the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israel occupied the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank. The move aims to revitalize Israeli peace efforts with the Palestinian Authority.

Thousands of Israeli troops and Palestinian security forces were ready to react to unrest, officials said, and Israeli soldiers began sealing off all 21 Gaza settlements and four of the approximate 120 in the West Bank.

Settlers who cooperate will receive Israeli government compensation for the loss of their homes. While the amount will vary, the aid package approved by the Knesset totals $870 million.

There are two main issues cited by Israeli opponents of the disengagement plan. Some settlers say they believe that Gaza is part of the traditional Jewish homeland.

Other, secular, Israelis oppose the pullout on security grounds, believing the move rewards terrorists and will lead to more attacks from Palestinian militant groups that want to destroy Israel.
Protesters block soldiers

At the largest single Jewish settlement in Gaza on Monday, Neveh Dekalim, police reported rioting around the time troops closed the border at midnight. At one point, about 300 people were involved, police said, with some protesters blocking Israeli soldiers. But the situation was reported to be calm by 2:30 a.m.

A few hours later, mortar shells fell in Neveh Dekalim and in nearby Gadid, causing no injuries or damage,*FROM WHERE YOU ASK, THEY DON'T BOTHER TO SAY* the Israel Defense Forces said.

In the Jewish settlements of Kfar Darom and Netzarim, police said, Palestinian militants were shooting at the remaining settlers.
*SNAFU*
At the settlement of Morag on Monday, several dozen settlers and nonresident protesters briefly blocked Israeli soldiers from entering the settlement. The standoff ended after negotiations, which sometimes became emotional. (Full story)

About 16 families remained in Morag after the midnight deadline, along with an estimated 300 infiltrator protesters, Israeli officials said.

About 5,000 anti-pullout protesters -- mostly Israeli youths who are not settlers -- have entered Gaza in recent days, said Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, IDF chief of staff.

On Sunday, Israeli and Palestinian leaders expressed high hopes for the withdrawal.

"I'm sure that history will justify our choice," said Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres. Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser al-Kidwa said, "What's happening is important and it's positive."

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has invested much of his political future in the disengagement plan, has said the withdrawal from Gaza could improve peace efforts with the Palestinians after years of strife. *BASED ON WHAT?*

Palestinian leaders have criticized Sharon for making the withdrawal unilaterally -- rather than as part of brokered talks. But they also have expressed hope that Israel's evacuation may create a turning point.

"There is no sense whatsoever to remain here," Peres said. "The settlers do not have a future in the Gaza Strip, because they cannot live as an isolated group of people 8,000-strong among a million-and-a-half Palestinians who live in poverty and protest and unemployment."
Palestinians deploy police

Palestinian leadership dispatched 7,500 police and security forces near Jewish settlements in southern Gaza, officials said. About 20,000 Palestinian police and security personnel plan to take part in preventing attacks and violence.

Palestinian Cabinet Minister Nabil Sha'ath said security forces will be up to the challenge.

"Our security forces are fully deployed now close to settlement areas in coordination with Israeli authorities," he said Monday. "We are ready ... We will keep the peace and protect and take over."

Once the settlers are gone, Israel plans to withdraw its troops from Gaza by the beginning of October -- the start of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana.

But it remained unclear whether Palestinian leaders will be able to maintain security after Israeli forces depart. Top officials have vowed to quickly bring order, and the United States and Israel have offered help. But Palestinian analysts have said Hamas and other militant groups may seek to gain political advantage in the new Gaza landscape.

Hamas, listed by the United States and Israel as a terrorist group, has described the pullout as a sign its efforts have succeeded. The group has told Palestinian leadership it will not interfere in the withdrawal.*I'M SURE THEY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MISSILES*