Israelis to leave Jewish settlements in Gaza intact

ISRAEL may leave buildings in Jewish settlements intact after a Gaza Strip withdrawal, rather than demolishing them as initially planned, senior officials said yesterday.

Demolition would force Israeli troops to spend more time in Gaza, exposing them to possible attack by Palestinian militants for a longer period, and would drive up the price of withdrawal, said Giora Eiland, the head of Israel’s National Security Council.

Palestinian leaders have not given a clear preference, but have said some of the settlement homes, most of them one-storey cottages, would have to be demolished to make room for high-rises that could ease a severe housing shortage in densely populated Gaza.

Chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said yesterday that he expected Israel and the Palestinians to discuss the issue, one of many to be resolved ahead of the withdrawal that is set for summer.

If the 21 Gaza settlements are left standing, the Palestinians would also have to ensure that militants do not take over the areas.

Israel’s Cabinet initially decided last year to destroy the buildings to save the settlers the grief of seeing Palestinians - and possibly militants - living in the homes. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon initially envisioned the withdrawal from Gaza and four West Bank settlements as a unilateral move.

However, with a more moderate Palestinian leadership taking over after Yasser Arafat’s death in November, Mr Sharon has said he is willing to coordinate the withdrawal with the Palestinians.