SHIRAT HAYAM, the Gaza Strip — Israeli police and soldiers conducted
lightening strikes on about half of the 21 Jewish communities in the Gaza
Strip and evacuated a majority of their families.
Officials said the military poured most of its efforts into the eviction
of residents from Neve Dekalim, the largest Israeli community in the Gaza
Strip. They said that by late Wednesday, more than half of the inhabitants
of Neve Dekalim, and a majority of residents, were removed in an effort to
expel an estimated 16,000 Israeli civilians from the Gaza Strip by Aug. 20.
"The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] and the Israel police will continue the
evacuation of the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank communities with
sensitivity and determination, to fully implement the disengagement plan and
to complete
this complex mission in the best possible way," a military statement said.
[On Wednesday, a resident of an Israeli community in the northern West
Bank opened fire and killed three Palestinians. The Israeli was said to have
seized an M-16 from a security guard at the Jewish settlement of Shilo.]
The Disengagement Authority said 850 out of 1,500 families left or were
forced out of the Gaza Strip. Officials said the only major community not
targeted on Wednesday was Kfar Darom, with an estimated 3,000 inhabitants.
The eviction operation comprised 15,000 police and soldiers, officials
said. Another 25,000 police and troops were involved in perimeter security
as well as blocking withdrawal opponents from entering the Gaza Strip from
southern Israel.
The military said six communities were being evacuated on Wednesday.
They were identified as Bedolah, Ganei Tal, Kerem Atzmonah, Morag, Neve
Dekalim and Tel Katifa.
"It should be noted that residents from 583 houses and public buildings
have been evacuated, out of a total of 2,206 buildings that exist throughout
all Israeli communities in the Gaza Strip," the military said.
The performance of the army has been spotty. Witnesses reported that
police conducted much of the eviction effort in Neve Dekalim.
In Shirat Hayam, women soldiers fled from youngsters who approached
their tower. The soldiers left their communications backpack in the tower
where it was taken by the youngsters.
Officials said the military and Israel Security Agency foiled plans by
Islamic Jihad to send a suicide bomber to blow himself up in Gush Katif.
They said an explosive belt that weighed 10 kilograms was found in the Arab
community of Muwasi outside Neve Dekalim.
In other communities, Israeli soldiers who took families out of their
homes were seen crying. But there were no reports of massive disobedience.
Residents of many of the communities left their homes without
resistance. One such community was Atzmona, which contained a
Jewish seminary meant to prepare youngsters for the army.
Military sources said they expected the evacuation of Neve Dekalim would
be completed by early Thursday. They said Kfar Darom and Shirat Hayam would
be cleared out later that day.
