Monday, August 15 2005 11:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kissufim Crossing (Israel): Kick-starting a historic process, Israel today (Aug 15, 2005) began its operation to withdraw from the Gaza strip after a 38-year occupation of the Palestinian territory.

It sealed off the Gaza Strip at midnight yesterday (Aug 14, 2005) (0230 IST) giving its residents a 48-hour grace period to leave voluntarily or be removed forcibly at its expiry.

The army lowered a gate with two red plates reading, "Stop. Entry into the Gaza Strip and presence there is forbidden by law", in Hebrew and English to set rolling a process of unwinding the settlements that have been promoted and nurtured by parties across the Israeli political spectrum, with broad consensus, and much to the chagrin of the international community.

Authorities cut access to the Strip putting roadblocks throughout southern Israel, choking Negev roads at the Tze'elim, Orim, Gilat, Hamazleg, Gabim, Ibim, Ruchama, southern Ashkelon, and Klasberg Junctions.

Bolstered by sights of certain settler communities pulling out voluntarily today and indications of others doing the same in the next two days, Brigadier-General Guy Tzur, who oversaw the Kissufim closure said, "We estimate that no more than 50 percent of the residents of Gush Katif and (the other settlement areas) in the Gaza Strip will remain beyond Tuesday".