Israel ‘must exit’ Gaza Strip

ISRAEL must withdraw from the Gaza Strip, no matter how well Islamic militants do in Palestinian parliament elections a month before the pullout, Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz said yesterday.

Mr Mofaz spoke in response to Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom’s suggestion that Israel considers calling off the pullout if Hamas militants win the July 17 vote.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon confirmed on Monday the withdrawal would be delayed by three weeks until mid-August. Yesterday, however, he reiterated that Israel would hold on to major West Bank settlement blocs, where most of the 240,000 Jewish settlers live.