Sharon plans 'Jewish-free zone' in Gaza

ISRAEL Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told his stunned Likud Party yesterday he plans to dismantle settlements in the Gaza Strip, turning it into a Jewish-free zone.

Mr Sharon spoke to Likud MPs hours after telling the Haaretz newspaper he has "given an order to plan for the evacuation" of the 17 Gaza settlements, which are home to about 7,500 Israelis.

"I am working on the assumption that in the future there will be no Jews in Gaza," Mr Sharon said.