Israel begins clearing out hard-line settlement

Hundreds of Gaza pullout opponents barricaded themselves behind rolls of barbed wire in the synagogue of the hard-line Jewish settlement of Kfar Darom today, as security forces dragged screaming residents out of nearby homes and a religious school.

Thousands of soldiers had entered the settlement at dawn and quickly encircled the heavily fortified synagogue and two nearby buildings. After failed attempts to negotiate a peaceful surrender, troops began moving into homes.