The Israeli Army took the first steps toward its scheduled withdrawal from the Gaza Strip today as it began to remove shipping containers from a base in Gaza.
The containers were removed from the settlement of Neve Dekalim, the largest in the Gaza Strip. Included in the shipping containers were furniture, computers, weapons and uniforms. Although the removal of items will not be completed until the Gaza withdrawal is finished this summer, this is the first concrete step taken by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to leave the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced he would reach a decision on delaying the planned pullout by three weeks by the this Friday. Presently, the pullout date coincides with a solemn Jewish holiday that commemorates the destruction of the Holy Temples in Jerusalem.
Sharon also indicated that he feared the soon-to-be abandoned settlements will be looted by Palestinians right after the withdrawal is completed. 'Immediately after the Israeli army leaves there, everything will be looted,' Sharon told senior Cabinet ministers according to the 'Yediot Ahronot' daily.
The United States has urged the Palestinian Authority and Israel to coordinate the withdrawal but the comment made by Sharon seems to demonstrate that he believes coordination will be futile.
Saeb Erekat, the PA's chief negotiator did not think there would be a problem after the IDF left Gaza. 'The Palestinians are preparing themselves and will make sure that the day after is smooth,' he told the Associated Press.
Abbas also complained that the Israeli government was 'inciting against him' in the media. He told the Israeli daily, 'Ha'aretz,' 'Day and night, they are inciting against me in the Israeli media. I am not the complaining type, but despite the instructions we have issued to halt incitement on our side, Israeli officials have not stopped inciting for a moment.'
Despite the expected tensions between the two sides, one thing is clear. The first tangible evidence on the ground that Israeli troops will withdraw from Gaza is underway.
