JERUSALEM — The government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has
examined a proposal to delay the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip for
at least three months.
Officials said the Defense Ministry has warned that the government
decision to destroy the homes of 8,000 Israeli residents in the Gaza Strip
would delay the completion of Israel's pullout from the area by at least
three months. They said the ministry asserted that
the destruction of more than 1,000 residential homes, warehouses,
greenhouses and other structures would require massive amounts of equipment
as well as trucks to remove the debris from the Gaza Strip.
As a result, the ministry has pressed for a revision of the government's
decision to destroy Israeli buildings in the Gaza Strip during the
withdrawal, meant to begin by August 2005. The ministry position has been
endorsed by Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz.
Officials said the destruction of the Israeli homes and the removal of
debris would cost around $30 million. They said the Defense Ministry said it
could complete the task even under the threat of Palestinian fire.
On May 3, Sharon led his Cabinet in a marathon discussion
regarding the withdrawal. Officials said the debate focused on whether
Israel should destroy the homes of those evicted from the Gaza Strip or
their transfer to the Palestinian Authority.
In June 2004, the Cabinet approved a plan to destroy the Israeli homes.
But in latest discussion many ministers, particularly from the Labor Party,
supported a recommendation that the homes remain intact.
"We cannot destroy without removing the debris, according to
international law," Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres said. "Why do we have
to show Israel as one who destroys houses."
Officials said the PA has not expressed an interest in acquiring the
homes although security agencies have pledged not to transfer them to
insurgency groups. The issue has been discussed with PA Civil Affairs
Minister Mohammed Dahlan.
"Let's say they [insurgents] fire a Kassam from these homes and then run
to the security room that we built," Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu
said. "This will give them a prize on top of another prize, encouragement on
top of encouragement."
