Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz, speaking Monday at the opening of a new highway in the Lachish region, said the Disengagement "was a humanitarian crime."

During the dedication ceremony for the highway, which will connect towns planned to house Jews expelled from Gaza in 2005, Katz harshly criticized the way in which the “Disengagement” from Gaza was carried out. “The evacuation of towns in Gush Katif, in the way it was done, was a humanitarian crime against children and against families that were almost ripped apart,” he said.

"I hope the investigative committee that is researching the treatment of the evacuees will find those responsible for this reprehensible treatment, on the highest and lowest levels, and will bring them to justice,” he added.

Katz was a member of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government at the time of the Disengagement. The government ignored him, he said, explaining, “I warned even then about what would happen. But despite my warnings, there was no willingness to change the timetable or the treatment of the evacuees.”

Katz expressed hope that the new Lachish highway would help the former Gaza residents, saying the project was “the least that can be done for them.” However, he said, the gesture is “too little, and worse, too late.”