Israeli forces continued to confront resistance from right wing settlers who are refusing to leave the Gaza Strip before the deadline of midnight Wednesday.
Israeli officials said they were hopeful that all settlers would evacuate the settlements before the deadline but warned of very tough action that would be taken against those who resist the evacuation.
Thus far, at least 50 settlers resisting the withdrawal have been arrested by Israeli security forces.
At a news conference, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told reporters, 'We will make every effort, the army and the police, to have law and order in this process and anyone who acts illegally will be treated according to the law.'
All 21 settlements in Gaza are to be disbanded as part of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's unilateral plan of 'disengagement' from the Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority is scheduled to take control of the Gaza Strip which Israel had won during the Six Day War in 1967. Between 1948 and 1967, the Gaza Strip had been occupied by Egypt. Israel is also evacuating four settlements on the West Bank.
Meanwhile, Palestinian militant groups staged a march through the Palestinian town of Khan Younis, vowing that the withdrawal from Gaza would be the first step towards the elimination of Israel.
'This is only the first step to liberating all of Palestine including Jerusalem east and west and every inch of Palestinian land from the sea to the river,' said Hamas spokesman Younis al-Astal.
Some 200 Hamas gunmen marched carrying rocket launchers and machine guns.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon addressed the Israeli people Monday night in a televised speech. He explained his reasons for the withdrawal, saying, 'We cannot hold Gaza for good. More that a million Palestinians live there, doubling their numbers every generation.'
Sharon also warned Palestinian militants not to interfere with the withdrawal. 'To an outstretched hand of peace, we will respond with an olive branch, but fire will be met by fire more intense than ever,' he said.
Hamas and other militant groups have been trying to take credit for the Israeli withdrawal, claiming their attacks on Israel were the cause. It remains to be seen whether or not they can convince the Palestinian street of this outlandish position.
