|
Palestinians taking control in Gaza Strip
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-12 09:06
Triumphant Palestinian troops accompanied by cheering, flag-waving crowds
took control of abandoned Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip Monday, as
Israeli troops rolled out of the territory in convoys in the final phase of
Israel's pullout from the territory after 38 years of occupation.
Fireworks lit up the sky, Palestinian gunmen fired in the air in celebration
and crowds set fire to the synagogue in the abandoned Morag settlement, closest
to Palestinian towns. In another synagogue, gunmen climbed on the roof and waved
flags of militant groups, including Hamas, shouting "God is great."
Palestinian security officers celebrate before
their deployment inside vacated Jewish settlements in the southern Gaza
Strip, September 11, 2005. [Reuters] | "It is only
the first step to more liberation ... tomorrow we liberate all of Palestine,"
Gaza resident Mohammed Khamish Habboush shouted into a mosque loudspeaker.
Israel had demolished nearly all buildings in its 21 Gaza settlements after
evacuating the residents, but it decided at the last minute to leave 19
synagogues intact, a decision criticized by the Palestinians and the United
States.
Early Monday, Palestinians started carrying off what was left in the debris
in the settlements, including chairs, tables and shopping carts. Young men tore
down electricity poles, grabbing the wires, and several people carried off
window frames.
An Israeli army armored vehicle leaves the
Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom Crossing into Israel early Monday,
Sept. 12, 2005. [AP] | In the former isolated
settlement of Netzarim, women ululated in celebration.
The 5,000 Israeli troops who had been left in Gaza began driving toward
Israel before dawn Monday. Dozens of soldiers waited on the Israeli side of the
crossing as the first convoy of armored vehicles passed through the Kissufim
crossing. Gaza commander Brig. Gen. Aviv Kochavi was expected to be the last
Israeli soldier to leave.
Late Sunday, Israeli troops had lowered their national banner in Neve
Dekalim, once the largest Jewish settlement in Gaza. They snapped farewell
pictures and closed army headquarters, which were left intact for use by the
Palestinians.
|
 | | | 4th anniversary of 9/11 commemorated in Beijing | | |  | | | Post-Katrina New Orleans | | |  | | | 12th APEC Finance Ministers Meeting | | |
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top World
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
