Sharon's Gaza pull-out wins final approval

ISRAEL'S Cabinet yesterday gave overwhelming approval to a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements.

The decision marks the first time an Israeli government has agreed to dismantle Jewish settlements on land claimed by the Palestinians for a future state.

Ministers voted 17-5, sealing the political defeat of withdrawal opponents, who had sought to put the plan to a national referendum. The evacuation of about 9,000 settlers is to begin in July and is expected to take eight weeks.