Israel to block Gaza protesters

THOUSANDS of Israeli troops began taking up positions in southern Israel yesterday, preparing to thwart an attempt by thousands of opponents of the upcoming Gaza withdrawal to march into the Gaza settlements.

However, Jewish settler leaders vowed to march into the settlements, which have been declared a closed military zone.

Authorities said 15,000 police and soldiers would deploy in the south, forming human chains and erecting roadblocks throughout the area to stop protesters from reaching Gaza.