The IDF's retreat will begin with a military ceremony at the Gaza Formation headquarters, at the Erez Crossing in northern Gaza, beginning at 3 PM. Participating will be IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz and other high-ranking officers. The ceremony will conclude with a convoy of the last remaining forces making their way towards the Kisufim Crossing and out the gate.
Though Prime Minister Sharon promised that the withdrawal would not take place under fire, a mortar shell was fired from within Gaza at Kibbutz Nachal Oz, east of Gaza, last night. No casualties or damage were reported. An IDF spokesperson confirmed that there was no military response.
The withdrawal was to be a unilateral move, but the retreat ceremony will include the official transfer of command over Gaza from Brig.-Gen. Ya'ir Kokhavi to the PA's Gen. Suleimon Hilas. A PA source said, however, that the PA would not participate in the ceremony, in protest of the unanswered questions regarding the Rafiah and other Gaza crossings.
The Israeli flag will be lowered at 7 PM. Gen. Kokhavi is scheduled to lock the Kisufim Crossing gate sometime early tomorrow morning, after the last of the soldiers has left. Israeli forces will be leaving Netzarim and northern Gaza at the same time.
Arabs in Khan Yunis, the city adjacent to what was Gush Katif's largest town, N'vei Dekalim, are said to be standing at the fences, ready to pounce on the formerly Jewish town the minute the army leaves. PA police have asked employees of the Jewish greenhouses to head for "their" greenhouses and somehow protect them from the mobs.
Avner Shimoni, former chairman of the now-defunct Gaza Coast Regional Council - salaries are still being paid through the end of this month - said, "This is a very difficult day in the life of the State of Israel, on which it runs away and retreats from its [history]. In the end, whoever runs from terrorism, terrorism will pursue him and catch him."
Arutz-7's Kobi Finkler reports that the total cost of the retreat/expulsion from Gush Katif and northern Shomron is some 10 billion shekels, or more than $2.2 billion.
Though Prime Minister Sharon promised that the withdrawal would not take place under fire, a mortar shell was fired from within Gaza at Kibbutz Nachal Oz, east of Gaza, last night. No casualties or damage were reported. An IDF spokesperson confirmed that there was no military response.
The withdrawal was to be a unilateral move, but the retreat ceremony will include the official transfer of command over Gaza from Brig.-Gen. Ya'ir Kokhavi to the PA's Gen. Suleimon Hilas. A PA source said, however, that the PA would not participate in the ceremony, in protest of the unanswered questions regarding the Rafiah and other Gaza crossings.
The Israeli flag will be lowered at 7 PM. Gen. Kokhavi is scheduled to lock the Kisufim Crossing gate sometime early tomorrow morning, after the last of the soldiers has left. Israeli forces will be leaving Netzarim and northern Gaza at the same time.
Arabs in Khan Yunis, the city adjacent to what was Gush Katif's largest town, N'vei Dekalim, are said to be standing at the fences, ready to pounce on the formerly Jewish town the minute the army leaves. PA police have asked employees of the Jewish greenhouses to head for "their" greenhouses and somehow protect them from the mobs.
Avner Shimoni, former chairman of the now-defunct Gaza Coast Regional Council - salaries are still being paid through the end of this month - said, "This is a very difficult day in the life of the State of Israel, on which it runs away and retreats from its [history]. In the end, whoever runs from terrorism, terrorism will pursue him and catch him."
Arutz-7's Kobi Finkler reports that the total cost of the retreat/expulsion from Gush Katif and northern Shomron is some 10 billion shekels, or more than $2.2 billion.