Israeli Army’s Gaza Pullout Is Completed
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
NEVE DEKALIM, Gaza Strip – The last Israeli troops began driving out of the Gaza Strip in large convoys early today and Palestinian Arab police took over the abandoned positions as Israel wrapped up its historic pullout from the coastal territory after 38 years of occupation.
About 5,000 Israeli troops left in Gaza began driving toward Israel and the last Israeli soldier was to be out by daybreak. Meanwhile, Palestinian Arab police on foot and in buses moved into the abandoned Jewish settlements, accompanied by cars carrying civilians who honked horns and waved flags.
Late yesterday, Israeli troops had lowered their national banner in Neve Dekalim, snapped farewell pictures, and closed army headquarters, which were left intact for use by the Palestinian Arabs.
In a somber farewell ceremony, the Israeli commander in Gaza, Brigadier General Aviv Kochavi, expressed hope the pullout would be a step toward peace. “The gate that will close behind us is also the gate that will open,” he said. “We hope it will be a gate of peace and quiet, a gate of hope and goodwill, a gate of neighborliness and if a bad wind breaks through then we will greet it with a force of troops ready and waiting.”
But the withdrawal, code-named “Last Watch,” was overshadowed by Israeli-Palestinian disputes, including over border arrangements and Israel’s last-minute decision not to demolish Gaza synagogues.
The 14-2 Cabinet vote against razing the houses of worship was a reversal of position and angered the Palestinian Arabs, who have detailed plans for the settlement areas but fear international criticism if buildings are demolished or defaced by Palestinian crowds targeting symbols of occupation.
In Washington, a State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack, said the Israeli Cabinet decision “puts the Palestinian Authority into a situation where it may be criticized for whatever it does.”
The Israeli army also was forced to cancel a former handover ceremony, initially set for yesterday, after angry Palestinian Arabs said they wouldn’t show up.
