Israel will leave Gaza settlements intact
Israel will not destroy homes in Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip during the withdrawal from the area this summer, security officials said.
The decision was made by Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz at a meeting with top Israeli security officials today, and still requires Cabinet approval.
Israel initially planned to destroy the homes of 8,500 settlers in 21 communities in Gaza as part of the withdrawal. It wanted to avoid scenes of jubilant Palestinians taking over the settlers’ homes.
However, Mofaz today reversed the initial plan. He said the demolition in overcrowded, impoverished Gaza would cause international criticism and also would force troops to remain in Gaza longer than planned, participants said. Mofaz hopes to minimise the time of withdrawal as much as possible.
Synagogues and ritual baths in Gaza settlements would be dismantled and moved to Israel.
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