26/08/2004 The Israel Defense Forces split the Gaza Strip into three sections Thursday, following a renewal of Qassam rocket fire on the Negev town of Sderot and mortar fire on settlements in the southern Gaza settlement bloc of Gush Katif. Soldiers set up roadblocks close to Gush Katif and the central settlement of Netzarim. Five Sderot residents were treated for shock after two rockets fell in the town, one of which hit a storage room in a residential courtyard, causing structural damage. The other rocket landed in open territory. There were no injuries. On Wednesday, the IDF delayed evacuating three caravans erected at Giv’at Assaf, an illegal outpost situated between the settlements of Beit El and Ofra. Hundreds of settlers gathered at the site overnight Wednesday in an effort to prevent soldiers from carrying out the evacuation. The three mobile homes are inhabited by families who recently moved into them. According to settlers, the land where the caravans stand was legally purchased from Palestinian owners, in a bid to erect a new outpost in the event that the nearby one, Givat Assaf was ever evacuated.
Binyamin Council Chairman Pinchas Wallerstein said the Israel Lands Administration has refused to document the land purchase, despite having received all the legal paperwork. On Wednesday, the IDF evacuated two caravans from the outpost of Noffei Nehemia, near Rachelim, south of Nablus. The caravans were brought to the outpost without the proper permits two days ago. Twelve mobile homes still remain at the outpost. There was little resistance, but four youngsters were arrested, one of whom was suspected of attacking a policeman. BPI-info
