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Sunday, August 14, 2005

Peace

USA Today latest on Gaza pullout. Hamas says pullout will not end fighting.

The Independent
explains in detail the withdraw from Gaza and answers more questions. Such as:

AFTER THE WITHDRAWAL

Where does it leave Israel and Palestine? Who will be evacuated from Gaza and when?

Around 8,500 Jewish settlers from 21 settlements, from the far north to the far south of the Gaza Strip, have been given until midnight tonight to leave of their own free will, and the government is hoping that some 60 per cent will have done just that. After two further days' grace, Israeli security forces will move in on Wednesday, settlement by settlement, to forcibly evacuate those who stay, in an operation that could take from one week to three weeks or even longer.

How long have the Israelis been there?

All the settlements post-date Israel's seizure of Gaza and the West Bank in the 1967 Six Day War. They range in foundation from Morag and Netzarim in 1972 to Shirat Hayam, the militant coastal settlement which was founded in 2001. Neve Dekalim, the biggest settlement in Gaza, with 2,600 people, was established in 1983.

Where will they go?

A wide variety of towns and farming communities mainly on the Israeli side of the pre-1967 "green line" between Israel and the West Bank, from Galilee in the north to the Negev Desert in the south. Some will have temporary accommodation in "caravillas" or in kibbutzes while they await permanent homes. Up to 1,000 people have been allotted a mix of temporary and permanent accommodation near the coastal beauty spot of Nitzanim, to the fury of Israeli greens.

Who will enforce the Israelis' removal and ensure it is permanent?

The removal, led and run by the Israeli army but with police initially in the front line, will use 60,000 security force members to carry out the evacuation - the largest ever military operation outside of war. As for ensuring it is permanent, the fact that the army will not longer be there to protect the settlers from Palestinian militants is likely to ensure that.

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