Outpost built on Gaza rubble
2005-06-27 11:28
Shirat Hayam, Gaza Strip - Radical opponents of the planned pullout of the Gaza Strip built a settlement outpost on Monday on the rubble of beachfront homes the day after they had been bulldozed by the Israeli army.
The activists set up makeshift huts on the ruins of 11 buildings which were once used by Egyptian officers before the territory was captured by Israel in 1967, naming the outpost Tal Yam (Dew of the Sea).
The army bulldozers had razed the buildings in a lightning operation on Sunday afternoon but troops soon found themselves being confronted by dozens of radical settlers who clambered on to the vehicles.
Clashes broke out, resulting in three arrests and leaving 20 people slightly injured, including 10 soldiers and police. A journalist also needed hospital treatment after he was kicked in the leg by a soldier.
A corporal who refused to take part in the demolition operation, telling reporters that "Jews do not expel Jews", was led away to face a military trial.
Gaza settlers and their supporters had begun refurbishing the houses in recent weeks, sparking fears that they would take up residence there during the pullout operation which is due to begin in mid-August.
Dozens of ultra-nationalists have recently taken over a nearby abandoned hotel in the south of the territory to use as a base to oppose the withdrawal. Security forces were forced to abandon plans to storm the hotel on Thursday night after news was leaked to the settlers.