'You have to go ...'
2005-08-04 21:40
Jerusalem - A knock on the door by a police officer at breakfast will herald the start of Israel's evacuation of all 8 000 settlers from the Gaza Strip on August 17, following a near four-decade occupation.
"Good morning, I'm here to implement the law voted by parliament.
"I am asking you to accompany me and board the bus that will evacuate you".
Such will be the polite, but firm doorstep greeting from police to families living in the 21 doomed Gaza settlements when Israel begins its first pullout from a complete Palestinian territory in 13 days' time.
"If you need help with your things, we are happy and ready to assist," the obliging officer will add.
An Israeli transport company container mounted on the back of a truck will stand nearby, ready to be packed with the family's possessions.
Non-confrontational
The tone will be fair and non-confrontational.
Evacuation teams have undergone weeks of training lest they forget that even recalcitrant settlers are fellow Israelis who deserve respect and consideration.
Out of a total security deployment of 44 000 police and soldiers, nearly 30 000 will form an "inner circle" around the Gaza enclaves.
Just under 7 000 police will go door-to-door, knocking for the settlers.
The countdown is quickening for Jewish Israelis in Gaza to pack their bags and leave voluntarily during Israel's first-ever withdrawal from Palestinian territory.
"They've known they have to leave for months. On the 15th we will tell them they have 48 hours to go as they please, without sacrificing any of their compensation rights," said one Israeli officer on condition of anonymity.
Doctors and nurses on hand
Those who choose to stay after August 17 will be in direct violation of the law and removed, forcibly if necessary, by about 400 teams of 16 police and soldiers working on foot - about 6 800 men and women.
Doctors and nurses will be on hand to treat any casualties to those overcome by the heat or the emotion of leaving homes which many believe were bequeathed by God, houses where they brought up their children.
Each team is expected to evacuate an average of two families a day, working unarmed to minimise the authorities' nightmare scenario of armed clashes.
Each settlement will be evacuated in one full sweep until all residents have been bussed to Israel proper, working on after nightfall if necessary.
Troops have been told to find entire families laid on the floor of their houses, whose final show of protest will be letting police and soldiers carry them away to vehicles and drive them out of the Gaza Strip.
Armed guards
Four officers will carry each adult: one each for the arms and legs, making sure backs are adequately supported.
Female officers will be responsible for carrying women and children.
Armed guards will be on the watch to ensure that no one tries to escape the bus.
For more hardline settlers, officers will use truncheons, water cannon and iron cages mounted on cranes to entrap those clinging to rooftops.
For situations deemed high-risk and dangerous, an elite unit of commandos will be called in - trained to shoot back should any settlers open fire.
Hotels, schools and mobile homes have been booked and built to re-house settlers in the first weeks after evacuation.
Once an entire settlement has been cleared, removal workers will comb properties and pack containers with all personal effects.
Private cars will be towed away.
Eventually it will be the bulldozers that flatten the settlements, turning to dust and rubble the legacy of Israel's 38-year presence in the territory.