Gaza pull-out coming to an end

2005-09-03 18:07

Jerusalem - The Israeli military said on Saturday it would complete its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip by September 15, but threatened to strike the territory hard if the Jewish state came under threat.

Israeli General Eran Ofir, who heads the army's logistics, told public radio: "I think that we will have finished the operation of transferring all military installations in the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank by September 15.

Israel evacuated its 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip in late August, ending its 38 year occupation of the coastal strip, home to 1.3 million Palestinians. It also evicted residents four settlements in the northern West Bank by Jenin.

In the last two weeks, the army has been busy demolishing the settlements and its military bases inside the abandoned areas before turning the land over to Palestinian forces.

But Israel's defence ministry warned on Saturday it would hit the Gaza Strip hard if militants use the Mediterranean coastal strip to launch attacks after the Israeli military completes its pull-out from the territory later this month.

"After the withdrawal, there will be no tolerance for any shots fired toward Israeli towns," said Amos Gilad, the security and policy advisor to Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz.

"Those who strike our population will pay a very high price. We will act in a manner that will have the effect of dissuading them," Gilad said.

Hamas issues challenge

He refused to disavow strong comments made on Friday by Israeli army chief of staff General Dan Halutz that Israel will respond disproportionately in case of any mortar or rocket strikes on Israeli towns from the Gaza Strip.

Israel worries Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas will fail in his quest to silence the rockets of groups like Hamas.

Hamas published on Saturday the names of its top seven military commanders in a direct challenge to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which has called on armed movements to disband.

Hamas' website listed commanders' names, along with photos, biographies and statements from some of the leaders.

The announcement was the latest shot across the bow in the competition between Hamas and its secular rival Fatah, which dominates the Palestinian Authority.

The Palestinian Authority said this week it would not tolerate armed groups in areas Israel has withdrawn from, including the Gaza Strip, triggering angry denunciations from militias including Fatah factions.

With an eye to the future, Palestinian children started their school year on Saturday hoping that Israel's withdrawal from the war-weary Gaza Strip augured a quiet and uneventful school term.

One million pupils returned to schools across the West Bank and Gaza.

- AFP