Gaza: Soldiers out by September
2005-08-24 20:31
Jerusalem - Israel said on Wednesday that all its soldiers would be out of the Gaza Strip within a month, ending four decades of occupation after the historic pull-out of Jewish settlers from the Palestinian territory.
A day after Israel uprooted settlers from 21 Gaza settlements and four in the West Bank in just a week, defence minister Shaul Mofaz confirmed that the equally momentous departure of his troops was being fast-tracked as well.
But, with the images of settlers being hauled kicking and screaming by fellow Jews from the heart of Biblical Israel still fresh, Mofaz said it was too soon to expect further evacuations in the occupied West Bank.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had won plaudits for overseeing the first evacuation from the occupied Palestinian territory, with United States President George W Bush praising him for changing the dynamics of the peace process.
Comprehensive move
However, back home, he was urged to use the momentum to embark on a more comprehensive move against the rest of about 130 settlements dotted across the territory that Palestinians wanted to form the bulk of a future state.
The reality of the rapid completion of the operation, which saw settlers weep tears of rage and impotence as troops stormed their homes and synagogues, was being rammed home as bulldozers reduced evacuated homes in Gaza to rubble.
Sharon expressed relief that the evacuations had passed off largely peacefully, especially in the northern West Bank settlements of Sanur and Homesh, where there had been predictions of a bloodbath.
Sharon said: "I think that this finished pretty well in comparison to our concerns."
Military withdrawal
He was speaking at a meeting of ministers overseeing the so-called disengagement with the Palestinians.
With the operation to clear settlers completed, Mofaz said the troops were looking to get out of Gaza ahead of schedule.
When asked about when the military withdrawal would be finalised, Mofaz said: "It will take at least until the middle of September, maybe a few days more, maybe a few days less."
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas said the Israeli army was expected to leave by October 4, but that "it could also take place at any time".
Protecting Gaza settlers
Before the pull-out began, Mofaz predicted that troops would be out of Gaza before the start of the Jewish New Year, or October 3.
Israel had intended to keep a small contingent on the Gaza-Egyptian border after withdrawing the rest of its troops protecting the 8 000 Gaza settlers.
However, after lengthy negotiations, officials said a deal had been reached in order that Egyptian soldiers took responsibility for the border in the aftermath of the pull-out.
General Amos Gilad of the defence ministry said: "There only remains the green light from the government and the Knesset parliament to be able to organise the signing ceremony."