Israel clears out Gaza settlement

Israeli forces today cleared out one of the last strongholds of opposition to the Gaza pullout and began demolishing homes in an empty settlement, avoiding a repeat of previous day’s violence in which youths pelted soldiers with acid, oil and sand.

The quick evacuation of Gadid was the latest sign of progress as Israel pushed forward with its unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank. All but four of Gaza’s 21 settlements were cleared out when the army suspended operations today for the Jewish sabbath.