IDF may be out of Gaza by next week

[Brightmore]

IDF may be out of Gaza by next week
Jerusalem Post
ARIEH O'SULLIVAN
September 7, 2005

The IDF has accelerated the removal of the final remnants of its 38-year presence in the Gaza Strip and could be ready by this weekend to get out of Gaza completely in less than 24 hours, according to senior officers.

On Wednesday, the last of the Ministry of Defense officials completed their evacuation work. On Friday, the IDF is planning to remove the main overpass linking the former Gush Katif to Israel and from then, all troops remaining in the Gaza Strip will be just combat troops living in their vehicles and tanks waiting for orders to move out.

"It would take us a maximum of 24 hours to complete this, but will probably be less," said a senior commander.

The precise moment of withdrawal depends on the decision reached regarding whether to demolish or move the synagogues in the evacuated settlements, either of which could take a day or two to complete.

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[barb162]

1. things will get dicey soon n/t