|
Showdown looms at synagogues
16/08/2005 21:42 - (SA)
Neve Dekalim - Hundreds of radical Israeli youths were hunkered down inside a synagogue complex in the heart of Gaza's largest settlement on Tuesday as an inevitable showdown with troops loomed.
Around 300 youths, some no more than 12 years old, had taken refuge in three adjoining synagogues, setting fire to mounds of rubbish and stationing wheelie bins on the pavements outside in a bid to block military vehicles.
Scores more settlers could be seen milling around the synagogues, hurling abuse at the teams of police and soldiers who were under orders to remove them by force from the morning.
While army and police chiefs said the security forces had been sent in to help the settlers pack up at the last minute, some made clear that their "assistance" was not welcome.
Soldiers who were knocking on doors offering their help were all given short shrift, some having the door slammed in their face.
"Absolutely none of these residents have requested your help whatsoever - even those who are evacuating of their own free will," one bearded settler harangued a soldier.
Residents were consumed by a mixture of shock and anger at the sight of so many soldiers on the narrow streets and cul-de-sacs.
"Don't you realise this is a war crime. We will not forgive and never forget," shouted one resident with a megaphone as soldiers pored over maps under torchlight.
The forcible eviction of all remaining Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip will begin just after midnight (21:00 GMT), defence minister Shaul Mofaz said on Tuesday.
"Forcible evacuation will begin just after midnight. We will help families who want to move until then," he told public television.
- AFP
|
News
