Opponents of Israel's Gaza pullout were penned into a farming village today, surrounded by police and confused over their next move. Some of their leaders admitted defeat in what was to have been the most formidable protest yet - a march of thousands to Gaza to join the settlers there.

Israeli premier Ariel Sharon’s determination to push through his Gaza withdrawal plan claimed its first victims today.

PRIME Minister Ariel Sharon came under wall-to-wall criticism at home yesterday for the bungled 10-day siege of Yasser Arafat's compound, which was aborted under intense US pressure.

Israeli premier Ariel Sharon today escaped fierce domestic criticism for the bungled 10 day siege of Yasser Arafat’s compound, which was aborted under intense US pressure.