Israel moves to block Gaza protesters

ISRAEL deployed 20,000 police and soldiers yesterday to block what was billed as the biggest march yet of Gaza withdrawal opponents — a crucial test run for security forces and protesters ahead of the pullout planned for August.

Organisers said marchers were trying to reach Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip even though police have declared the demonstration illegal and last week barred nonresidents from entering Gaza settlements.

The frequency of Palestinian attacks from Gaza dipped yesterday after a violent weekend, when more than 100 rockets and mortars were fired at Jewish settlements in Gaza and Israeli towns just outside.