Israel Begins Historic Gaza Disengagement Amid Settler Protests

Historic Withdrawal Begins

Israel launched its unilateral disengagement from Gaza Strip, beginning the forced evacuation of 8,500 Jewish settlers from 21 settlements. The operation, personally championed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, marks the first Israeli withdrawal from occupied Palestinian territory since 1967.

Operation Details

Disengagement scope:

21 Gaza settlements to be evacuated
4 West Bank settlements included
8,500 settlers affected
42,000 Israeli troops deployed
5-week operation planned

First Day Drama

Emotional scenes across Gaza:

Soldiers going door-to-door
Some settlers leave voluntarily
Others barricade in synagogues
Protesters chain themselves
Media broadcasts live coverage

Political Earthquake

Sharon’s Transformation

Former settlement champion leads withdrawal:

“It is out of strength and not weakness that we are taking this step. We tried to hold everything, but that is no longer possible,” - Ariel Sharon

Political cost:

Likud party splits
Right-wing base alienated
Death threats received
Coalition government fragile
Historical legacy transformed

Settler Resistance

Opposition tactics varied:

Passive resistance: Refusing to pack
Active protests: Blocking roads
Religious appeals: Rabbis’ interventions
Youth activism: Infiltration attempts
Media campaign: Holocaust comparisons

Security Arrangements

IDF Deployment

Massive military operation:

Outer ring prevents infiltrations
Inner ring manages evacuations
Navy blocks sea access
Air force provides surveillance
Special units handle confrontations

Palestinian Coordination

Limited cooperation established:

PA forces kept at distance
Hamas claims victory
Celebrations planned but contained
International monitors present
Egypt secures border

International Perspectives

US Support

Bush administration backing:

“Bold and courageous” step praised
Aid package for relocation
Pressure on Palestinians for response
West Bank settlement concerns muted

European Reaction

EU offers assistance:

Border monitoring proposed
Economic aid promised
Infrastructure support planned
Cautious optimism expressed

Arab Response

Mixed regional reactions:

Egypt: Facilitates security coordination
Jordan: Welcomes partial withdrawal
Syria: Dismisses as inadequate
Saudi Arabia: Calls for West Bank action

Scenes of Anguish

Emotional Evacuations

Heart-wrenching moments:

Families carried from homes
Synagogues become last stands
Graves relocated
Greenhouses abandoned
Lifetime memories packed

Soldier’s Dilemma

IDF faces unprecedented challenge:

Evacuating fellow Jews
Ideological soldiers refuse orders
Emotional training inadequate
National trauma evident
Unity tested severely

Palestinian Reactions

Celebration and Caution

Gaza Palestinians watch carefully:

Hamas position:

Claims resistance victory
Vows to “liberate” West Bank
Prepares to fill vacuum
Armed parades planned

PA response:

Abbas urges restraint
Promises law and order
Seeks international support
Faces Hamas challenge

Strategic Implications

Sharon’s Calculation

Unilateral strategy reasoning:

Demographic concerns addressed
International pressure reduced
West Bank control consolidated
Security burden lessened
Peace process bypassed

Long-term Questions

Fundamental issues remain:

Gaza’s economic viability
Hamas vs. PA control
Border arrangements
Israeli military presence
West Bank settlement expansion

Day One Assessment

The first day of disengagement proceeded more smoothly than expected, with most confrontations non-violent. However, the emotional toll on Israeli society and questions about Gaza’s future cast shadows over this historic moment. Whether disengagement leads to peace or further conflict remains to be seen.