Israel will use force in Gaza

2005-06-06 16:41

Jerusalem - Israel will forcibly disarm Jewish settlers who refuse to surrender their weapons ahead of the government's pull-out from the occupied Gaza Strip, said defence minister Shaul Mofaz on Monday.

The minister told parliament's defence and foreign affairs committee that any settlers who refused to give up their weapons to the military before the pullout would have them removed by force, public radio reported.

The Yesha settler's council denounced Mofaz's comments.

It said: "Settlers carry weapons to defend themselves against terrorists and taking them away would put them in danger."

Mofaz also reiterated his view that the army should not demolish Jewish homes in the Gaza Strip and four northern West Bank settlements during the pull-out.

Mofaz said, such mass demolitions would be expensive, delay the withdrawal and endanger the lives of soldiers rather than ensuring security.

Israel was to begin uprooting all soldiers and the more than 8 000 Jewish settlers living in Gaza and four northern West Bank outposts in a 10-week process due to begin in mid-August.

- SAPA