More army than settlers in Gaza

2005-07-05 20:10

Jerusalem - Security forces assigned to Israel's pullout from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank would outnumber the settlers they evacuated five to one, said Israel's defence minister on Tuesday.

Defence minister Shaul Mofaz said: "About 41 000 male and female soldiers will take part in the evacuation, and 3 800 police."

He was speaking to a stormy session of parliamentarians, Jewish settlers and ministry officials on Israel's so-called "disengagement".

About 9 000 settlers lived in those areas. But, with settler resistance to the opposition fierce, security forces were bracing for a tough, and possibly violent evacuation.

Security officials originally said about 30 000 soldiers would take part in the operation.

Cops need greater reinforcement

But, an official speaking on condition of anonymity, said the number of soldiers increased because the duration of the pullout had been shortened to four weeks from 12, and police needed greater reinforcement.

Mofaz said seventeen reserve battalions would replace conscripts and paramilitary police who would be deployed to Gaza for the withdrawal.

He said troops were to be positioned in six circles, with police dominating the inner one, and a mix of soldiers and police in the outermost circle.

Security officials said ad hoc divisions had been created from the military's various forces to provide more staffing power for the withdrawal.

Police commissioner Moshe Karadi confirmed that police planned to allot about 4 000 officers to participate directly in the pullout.

Disobedience by pullout opponents

Avi Zelba of the police said an undetermined number of additional forces would be assigned to handle civil disobedience by pullout opponents.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the meeting that Israel would withdraw from Gaza on schedule, despite fierce opposition to the plan by activists who clashed with police, soldiers and Palestinians last week.

He made it clear that the government did not intend to put up with violent protests.

Sharon said: "It is permissible to protest and demonstrate, but the state of Israel will not agree that roads be blocked, that oil and nails be thrown on the roads and that police and soldiers be beaten. We will not agree to this in any way."

Legitimate resistance

Attorney general Meni Mazuz said about 1 000 protesters had been arrested in road protests - "not just people who were just waving flags, but people who had full gas canisters and were planning to blow them up" on a major highway during rush hour.

Mazuz said: "This is not legitimate resistance in a democracy or any country."

Sharon also told the committee that Israel had made it clear to the Palestinian authority that it would respond "harshly" if Palestinian militants fired on settlers and soldiers during the pullout.

He said: "If there is fire during the evacuation, our response will be very harsh, possibly that it would destroy the whole process."

- AP