The Palestinian Authority had hoped to start entering Gush Katif following the destruction of specific communities, and not at the end of the process.
Despite Mofaz’s stated policy, Palestinians were recently photographed playing pool in a community center in one the towns which already has been abandoned by its residents.
Tuesday morning, Mofaz told soldiers preparing for the expulsion of Gush Katif’s residents that for the first 48 hours of the operation, soldiers would still be assisting residents who wish to evacuate their homes.
He asked the soldiers to differentiate between residents and demonstrators who came in from outside the Gush. Mofaz said the demonstrators are attempting to derail the process that the residents themselves are interested in completing.
Mofaz warned that demonstrators would be arrested during the first phases of the expulsion, in order to make it easier for troops to carry out their mission. “We will not allow people coming in from the outside to disturb” the expulsion process, he said.
Mofaz said that until the expulsion and destruction process is completed, Palestinians would not be allowed to enter any Jewish areas. Although the Palestinians have been notified of Israel’s position on this issue, “it apparently still hasn’t registered with them,” he said.
Despite Mofaz’s stated policy, Palestinians were recently photographed playing pool in a community center in one the towns which already has been abandoned by its residents.
Tuesday morning, Mofaz told soldiers preparing for the expulsion of Gush Katif’s residents that for the first 48 hours of the operation, soldiers would still be assisting residents who wish to evacuate their homes.
He asked the soldiers to differentiate between residents and demonstrators who came in from outside the Gush. Mofaz said the demonstrators are attempting to derail the process that the residents themselves are interested in completing.
Mofaz warned that demonstrators would be arrested during the first phases of the expulsion, in order to make it easier for troops to carry out their mission. “We will not allow people coming in from the outside to disturb” the expulsion process, he said.
Mofaz said that until the expulsion and destruction process is completed, Palestinians would not be allowed to enter any Jewish areas. Although the Palestinians have been notified of Israel’s position on this issue, “it apparently still hasn’t registered with them,” he said.