Israel lifts Gaza blockade
2005-07-01 08:17
Jerusalem - The Israeli army on Friday lifted its blockade of settlements in the Gaza Strip, imposed the previous day for the first time ever, a military spokesperson said.
"The sealing off of the Jewish places in the Gaza Strip was lifted this morning, but it is forbidden to bring in material that might be used to thwart or prevent the application of the disengagement plan," the spokesperson said.
Gaza area commander General Dan Harel had on Thursday declared all of the Gaza settlements off limits to anyone but residents, workers in essential services and journalists.
It was thought to be the first time the 21 settlements had been declared off limits to Israeli citizens since the territory was captured from Egypt in 1967.
Police carried out a lightning raid on a bastion of opposition to the Gaza Strip pullout on Thursday after Israel sealed off its settlements.
A massive squad of around 1 200 border police swept through the Gaza beachfront complex in little more than 10 minutes, hauling settlers and radical supporters out of the building where around 150 people had been holed up.
- AFP