Israeli Army begins forced evacuation of Gaza settlements
{{date|August 17, 2005}}

The [[w:Israeli Defence Forces|Israeli army]] has begun to forcibly remove settlers in [[w:Gaza Strip|Gaza Strip]] as the [[Gaza Strip pullout under way|deadline for voluntary evacuation]] passed at 00:00, local time, this morning (21:00 UTC Tuesday).
[[Image:Gz-map.png|thumb|right|The Gaza Strip]]
Soldiers entered the settlements of [[w:Neve Dekalim|Neve Dekalim]], [[w:Morag|Morag]], Ganei Tal, and Bedolah in the early morning hours and have begun to carry settlers away. In Neve Dekalim over 1,000 settlers shut themselves inside the local synagogue while others did the same in their houses. In Morag a bulldozer was needed to break through a barricade constructed of trash containers. A soldier there was lightly wounded when a protester stabbed her in the arm with a needle. Prime minister [[w:Ariel Sharon|Ariel Sharon]] responded to the incident by saying "don't hurt them, hurt me". In Southern Israel a woman is in critical condition after she set herself on fire in protest over the evacuations.

The army claims more than half of the 8,500 settlers in the Strip have already left. However, those remaining vowed to stay as long as they can, telling the soldiers that they "should be ashamed at what [they] are doing".

A thin majority in the Israeli government believe the pullout from Gaza is vital for the security of the country. "I look with hope to the future, that the price we are paying [...] will in the end bring about a positive change in Israel's situation," said Defense Minister [[w:Shaul Mofaz|Shaul Mofaz]].

The [[w:Palestinian Authority|Palestinian Authority]] welcomes the withdrawal from Gaza but believes it can only be a first step in the process of giving up all Israeli settlements, including in the [[w:West Bank|West Bank]].

Meanwhile, an Israeli settler from Shiloh, in the West Bank, killed four Palestinians and wounded another two when he opened fire in an industrial area of the settlement. The 38-year old reportedly stole the gun used in the shooting from a security guard. He was arrested. [[w:Hamas|Hamas]] has vowed to avenge the killings.

== Related Stories ==
[[Gaza Strip pullout under way]]
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://us.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/08/17/gaza.pullout/index.html
|title=Israeli troops begin forced Gaza evictions
|author=Guy Raz, Paula Hancocks
|pub=CNN
|date=August 17, 2005}}
<!-- Hint: If you are citing BBC News, leave the author blank and put "BBC News" in the "pub" parameter. -->

*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4157998.stm
|title= Israel begins evicting settlers
|author=
|pub=BBC News
|date=August 17, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/612980.html
|title= Women soldier stabbed; PM: Don't hurt them, hurt me
|author=
|pub=Haaretz
|date=August 17, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,165951,00.html
|title= Israeli Troops Forcibly Remove Gaza Settlers
|author=
|pub=Fox News
|date=August 17, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/613936.html
|title= Israeli terrorist kills three Palestinians in West Bank
|author=
|pub=Haaretz
|date=August 17, 2005}}

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[[Category:Israel]]
[[Category:Palestine]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Ariel Sharon]]
[[Category:Palestinian National Authority]]
[[Category:West Bank]]
The Israeli army has begun to forcibly remove settlers in Gaza Strip as the deadline for voluntary evacuation passed at 00:00, local time, this morning (21:00 UTC Tuesday).
The Gaza Strip
Soldiers entered the settlements of Neve Dekalim, Morag, Ganei Tal, and Bedolah in the early morning hours and have begun to carry settlers away. In Neve Dekalim over 1,000 settlers shut themselves inside the local synagogue while others did the same in their houses. In Morag a bulldozer was needed to break through a barricade constructed of trash containers. A soldier there was lightly wounded when a protester stabbed her in the arm with a needle. Prime minister Ariel Sharon responded to the incident by saying "don't hurt them, hurt me". In Southern Israel a woman is in critical condition after she set herself on fire in protest over the evacuations.

The army claims more than half of the 8,500 settlers in the Strip have already left. However, those remaining vowed to stay as long as they can, telling the soldiers that they "should be ashamed at what they are doing".

A thin majority in the Israeli government believe the pullout from Gaza is vital for the security of the country. "I look with hope to the future, that the price we are paying ... will in the end bring about a positive change in Israel's situation," said Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz.

The Palestinian Authority welcomes the withdrawal from Gaza but believes it can only be a first step in the process of giving up all Israeli settlements, including in the West Bank.

Meanwhile, an Israeli settler from Shiloh, in the West Bank, killed four Palestinians and wounded another two when he opened fire in an industrial area of the settlement. The 38-year old reportedly stole the gun used in the shooting from a security guard. He was arrested. Hamas has vowed to avenge the killings.

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Israel Palestine Politics and conflicts Ariel Sharon Palestinian National Authority West Bank