Israel to complete Gaza withdrawal by Monday

The Israeli army will complete its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip on Monday, three days ahead of schedule, defence minister Shaul Mofaz said today.

Israel Radio reported that the army would demolish its liaison office in Gaza today and a bridge leading to a bloc of Jewish settlements.

“According to the plan I authorised yesterday … on Monday the 12th of the month no Israeli army soldier will remain in the boundaries of the Gaza Strip,” Mofaz told Israel’s Army Radio.

Mofaz’s statement indicates the army will also complete a pullout from a volatile Gaza-Egypt patrol road. Israel was originally due to complete its withdrawal on September 15.

The only thing that could delay the pull-out was a dispute over whether to destroy the synagogues still standing in the Jewish settlements evacuated last month, Mofaz said. He is opposed to demolishing the synagogues.

Yesterday Israel’s Supreme Court lifted an order barring the army from demolishing the synagogues. The Cabinet is to decide on Sunday whether to demolish the holy buildings.

The homes and other community buildings in the settlements have already been demolished. Mofaz said he would vote against demolishing the synagogues.

If the Cabinet votes to demolish the synagogues, the pull-out will be complete on Tuesday.