The IDF placed the signs on Sunday before beginning to withdrawal. Orange was the color symbolizing the anti-expulsion movement. The Palestinian Authority (PA) has expressed deep anger at Israel for leaving the buildings, calling them "symbols of the occupation."
PA minister of security, Jibril Rajoub, announced Sunday night that the PA would not try to preserve the sanctuaries and that they will be demolished. Leaders of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade and Hamas also vowed to level the synagogues.
Teenage Arabs threw rocks at IDF troops, and soldiers injured four of them near the demolished N'vei Dekalim community during a clash at the same time IDF commanders were lowering the Israeli flag. Terrorists also threw two hand grenades at soldiers along the international border near Rafiah. No one was injured.
Israel is withdrawing with "heads raised," IDF Chief Dan Halutz said at a ceremony ending 38 years of Israeli authority in the area.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) will be put to a severe test as mobs numbering thousands of Arabs gathered next to the communities, waiting to overrun the ruins. Armed gangs gathered in the streets of Khan Yunis, a large Arab city adjacent to Gush Katif.
The PA has argued that Israel still has not given it full control of the Gaza region. "Israel is deluding itself if it believes that its occupation over the Gaza Strip has now ended," said PA cabinet minister Mohamed Dahlan. He pointed out that Israel has not allowed the PA to re-open its airport, and that it will take years to rebuild the seaport. Israel has blocked the airport from re-opening until the PA proves it is controlling terror.
Dahlan added that Israel further weakened its claim by "reserving for itself the right to invade the Gaza Strip." As part of its pullout plan, Israel says it retains the right to re-enter Gaza to stem threats or attacks.
"Gaza will be turned over the Palestinians in full and with the completion of that process ... Israel's presence in Gaza will be part of history," said Mark Regev, an Israeli government spokesman.
PA minister of security, Jibril Rajoub, announced Sunday night that the PA would not try to preserve the sanctuaries and that they will be demolished. Leaders of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade and Hamas also vowed to level the synagogues.
Teenage Arabs threw rocks at IDF troops, and soldiers injured four of them near the demolished N'vei Dekalim community during a clash at the same time IDF commanders were lowering the Israeli flag. Terrorists also threw two hand grenades at soldiers along the international border near Rafiah. No one was injured.
Israel is withdrawing with "heads raised," IDF Chief Dan Halutz said at a ceremony ending 38 years of Israeli authority in the area.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) will be put to a severe test as mobs numbering thousands of Arabs gathered next to the communities, waiting to overrun the ruins. Armed gangs gathered in the streets of Khan Yunis, a large Arab city adjacent to Gush Katif.
The PA has argued that Israel still has not given it full control of the Gaza region. "Israel is deluding itself if it believes that its occupation over the Gaza Strip has now ended," said PA cabinet minister Mohamed Dahlan. He pointed out that Israel has not allowed the PA to re-open its airport, and that it will take years to rebuild the seaport. Israel has blocked the airport from re-opening until the PA proves it is controlling terror.
Dahlan added that Israel further weakened its claim by "reserving for itself the right to invade the Gaza Strip." As part of its pullout plan, Israel says it retains the right to re-enter Gaza to stem threats or attacks.
"Gaza will be turned over the Palestinians in full and with the completion of that process ... Israel's presence in Gaza will be part of history," said Mark Regev, an Israeli government spokesman.