Troops prepare for rapid exit

2005-09-08 20:03

Rafah - Israel prepared on Thursday to rush its troops out of the Gaza Strip, sealing off the main crossing out of the territory as it dismantled the last vestiges of its 38-year presence.

Security sources said defence dinister Shaul Mofaz had ordered the army withdraw in an operation lasting no more than 24 hours while Palestinian officials said they were told the pullout would take place on Monday.

Mofaz "has approved the withdrawal of the army, which will take place next week in one go, in 24 hours", a military source told AFP.

Troops had not been scheduled to leave until September 15, but Mofaz recommended on Wednesday that the pullout be moved up three days.

Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas has already scrapped plans to attend next week's UN general assembly to monitor the pullout which will mark the first time that Israeli troops have left occupied Palestinian territory.

In preparation for the handover of the 21 Gaza Strip settlements, which were cleared of residents nearly three weeks ago, the army could be seen dismantling a bridge connecting the Israeli border with the main Gush Katif settlement bloc and watchtowers which have come to symbolise the occupation.

The army also closed the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and neighbouring Egypt from the morning as it packed up the last of its property.

"All the infrastructure and belongings will be out (of Gaza) by tomorrow (Friday)," an Israeli military source told AFP.

While the soldiers were busy packing up, about 50 rabbis and other public figures attended a final prayer session at a synagogue in the main settlement of Neve Dekalim - one of the last buildings still standing.

"The Israelis have informed us that the withdrawal and the transfer will begin on Monday," the secretary general of the Palestinian cabinet, Samir Hleileh, told AFP.

"The Palestinian security services and the teams who will take charge of the evacuated areas are ready," he added.

Abbas has been urging militant groups to allow the withdrawal to take place peacefully in order to strengthen the Palestinian case for independence.

- AFP