Even as Prime Minister Sharon repeats his promise that the disengagement plan will "improve Israel's security," the Education Ministry and Home Front Command have issued a pamphlet indicating the precise opposite.
The pamphlet is entitled, "The Disengagement Plan: A Letter to the Teaching Staff." It has been distributed to all teachers in schools and nurseries in northern Negev communities, Arutz-7's Haggai Huberman reports. The brochure shows the various scenarios that can be expected in the towns following Israel's retreat from Gaza.
"It appears," the pamphlet reads, "that the disengagement plan will create a new reality for the towns around Gaza. There is no doubt that we face a period characterized by uncertainty, and there are likely to be attempts to carry out terror activities against the communities in this area. In order to prepare the civilian population for such situations, the Home Front Command has decided to... conduct a program to teach necessary rules of behavior in order to best protect against such attempts to harm [the populace]."
The pamphlet outlines four areas of danger, beginning with those closest to Gaza and ranging to those up to seven kilometers away. The three most endangered towns are Kerem Shalom, on the southern tip of the Gaza border; Nahal Oz, 30 kilometers to the northeast; and Netiv HaAsarah, adjacent to the northern Gaza border. These towns will be threatened with sniper fire, terrorist infiltrations over and under ground, Kassam rockets, and mortar shells, the brochure states.
Other towns up to four kilometers from Gaza that could be targeted in various ways include Zikim, Erez, Kfar Aza, Kisufim, Nir Oz, Sufah, Yevul, Be'eri, Saad, and Alumim. Up to seven kilometers away and in danger will be Pri Gan, Ein HaB'sor, Carmiah, Yad Mordechai, Or HaNer, Kfar Maimon, Sderot and many others.
The residents will be advised to ensure that their doors and windows are always locked, to carry their personal weapons at all times, to map out a place in their homes from where to shoot in the event of a terrorist infiltration, and the like.
To plan for an incident of light-weapons fire at a school, the teachers must practice this drill:
"The students must sit in the classroom adjacent to an interior wall, far from windows and openings, and wait for instructions from security personnel or school management. Those outside the class must immediately enter a building, or take shelter behind a wall, and await instructions."
Similar instructions are outlined for students facing Kassam rocket fire or a mortar shell, though they must also protect their heads and lie on the floor if possible.