The decision follows high-level security consultations during the night.
IDF officials report that the quiet that prevailed during the evening and nighttime hours led them to the decision to lift the restrictions imposed yesterday ahead of the evacuation of the Maoz Yam Hotel.
On the other hand, according to a report on Israel's Channel One, a public television station, the IDF is considering maintaining checkpoints to prevent supporters from reaching the Gush Katif area. The "political" checkpoint would be operated at the Kissufim Crossing, connecting the Gaza region to the rest of Israel. Right-wing activists have already rejected the idea, saying that, if implemented, it will be the same in effect as completely closing off Gush Katif.
The Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza issued an ultimatum to the IDF Thursday night that it rescind the order declaring Gush Katif a closed military zone by Friday night, or face tens of thousands of protestors streaming in from around the country. Council spokesmen said that residents of Gush Katif are entitled to live daily lives like every other citizen.
The IDF closed off Gush Katif to outsiders around noon Thursday because of "repeated violations of law and order" and reports that more people were on the way "to further escalate the situation." Violent clashes began later in the day when about 2,000 policemen, backed up by soldiers, forcibly evicted most of the residents of the refurbished Maoz Yam Hotel, formerly the Palm Beach Hotel.
Following the eviction of the hotel residents, the building was converted into a military base.
IDF officials report that the quiet that prevailed during the evening and nighttime hours led them to the decision to lift the restrictions imposed yesterday ahead of the evacuation of the Maoz Yam Hotel.
On the other hand, according to a report on Israel's Channel One, a public television station, the IDF is considering maintaining checkpoints to prevent supporters from reaching the Gush Katif area. The "political" checkpoint would be operated at the Kissufim Crossing, connecting the Gaza region to the rest of Israel. Right-wing activists have already rejected the idea, saying that, if implemented, it will be the same in effect as completely closing off Gush Katif.
The Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza issued an ultimatum to the IDF Thursday night that it rescind the order declaring Gush Katif a closed military zone by Friday night, or face tens of thousands of protestors streaming in from around the country. Council spokesmen said that residents of Gush Katif are entitled to live daily lives like every other citizen.
The IDF closed off Gush Katif to outsiders around noon Thursday because of "repeated violations of law and order" and reports that more people were on the way "to further escalate the situation." Violent clashes began later in the day when about 2,000 policemen, backed up by soldiers, forcibly evicted most of the residents of the refurbished Maoz Yam Hotel, formerly the Palm Beach Hotel.
Following the eviction of the hotel residents, the building was converted into a military base.