Israel breaks main resistance to Gaza pullout
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-08-19 13:47

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Housing blocks in Neve Dekalim stood empty of life after the evacuations. A bicycle lay abandoned, ribbons in the orange protest color of the settlers tied to its handlebars.

A man and his son take a last look at their settlement as they are taken away on a bus after being forced to leave their home in Shirat Hayam in the Gaza Strip. [AFP]

One family struggled to load a three-meter (10-foot) mango tree, planted when they moved to the settlement at its founding in 1983, aboard an evacuation bus.

The toughest resistance has come largely from young ultranationalists who had slipped into the settlements.

Most of the residents left peacefully after making their protest -- and possibly losing a slice of compensation money -- by staying beyond an official deadline. Many were carried from their homes weeping in anguish.

Seventeen of 21 Gaza settlements are now clear and officials said all may be empty by Tuesday, far sooner than first thought. Only isolated Netzarim looms as a potential trouble spot. But community leaders said they had agreed to leave on Monday.

Two of four West Bank settlements on the evacuation list are already empty and attention is expected to move quickly to the others. In a sign the protesters have not given up, though, they blocked the road from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv on Thursday night.

The White House, which sees the withdrawal as a way to boost peacemaking prospects, praised Israel's pullout on Thursday and said it would strengthen ties. Israel seeks $2.2 billion in aid from its U.S. ally after the withdrawal.

Sharon has said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas must dismantle powerful militant factions before there can be any progress to statehood talks under a U.S.-sponsored "road map."

In a statement Annan, the U.N. chief, urged Palestinian leaders to show their commitment to peace and security "by establishing the rule of law in Gaza following the withdrawal." He urged both sides to exercise restraint.

Israel says the pullout will end its occupation of Gaza, but Palestinians say that can only happen once they gain full control of borders and airspace. Israel is reluctant to allow that for now, citing security reasons.

The World Court brands settlements illegal. Israel disputes this.

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