HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

HA’ARETZ 1. OPPOSITION CRUMBLES; IDF BEGINS TO EVACUATE NEVEH DEKALIM. 2. ISRAEL-US CRISIS OVER. 3. PA police deploy: GAZA IMPATIENTLY WAITING FOR END OF EVACUATION. 4. MUBARAK: WE WILL DO EVERYTHING TO PREVENT SMUGGLING. HATZOFEH 1. Yesha council leaders detained as they tried to enter Gush Katif, were released under restrictive conditions. FORCRED EXPULSION UNDERWAY. Evacuators knocked on doors of Gush Katif residents’ homes overnight and offered last assistance in evacuation. IDF’s first objective: Expulsion of infiltrators in Gush Katif communities. At same time as forced evacuation: High Court of Justice to discuss appeal against evacuation of Neveh Dekalim. 2. OC INTELLIGENCE: PALESTINIANS WILL RESUME TERRORISM IN SPRING. 3. MILITARY RABBI WHO CALLED FOR REFUSAL OF ORDERS DEMOTED TO PRIVATE. 4. MOFAZ: WE WILL ESTABLSISH LAW AND ORDER IN GAZA STRIP. 5. HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE ISSUES INTERIM ORDER DELAYING DEMOLITION OF GUSH KATIF SYNAGOGUES. 6. 5% GROWTH IN ECONOMY SINCE START OF YEAR. MA’ARIV 1. 08:00 – Breakthrough to Neveh Dekalim. Objective: Evacuate Gush Katif within two days. FORCED ENTRY. 17.8.05: Tension that has gripped Israel in recent months to peak this morning. Breakthrough: Thousands of soldiers and police entered Neveh Dekalim overnight to try and evacuate residents within 48 hours. Plan: If Neveh Dekalim evacuation proceeds on course, most Gush Katif communities to be evacuated by tomorrow. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. Today: In gigantic operation, IDF to bring seven brigades into most settlements in Gush Katif. Objective: To decide matters within few days. FORCED EVACUATION BEGINS. Hundreds of police and soldiers tried to enter Neveh Dekalim overnight. Decided at Netzarim: Evacuating voluntarily on Monday. President Mubarak, in Yediot Ahronot interview: I understand that it is difficult to leave one’s home. ______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Both papers discuss various issues related to the Disengagement Plan: Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, says that the disturbances in Gush Katif, which it blames squarely on youths who have come from outside the Gaza Strip, must be dealt with sternly and urges the young people, „to expend their youthful energies elsewhere.” Hatzofeh says that, „The expulsion has begun,” and calls on the evacuation forces, „to take into account the fact that they are facing brother Jews, not enemies, and not to forget – even for a moment – that we are brothers.” Yediot Ahronot lauds the Jewish residents of the Gaza Strip and their achievements over the years and wishes them well in relocating and rebuilding their lives. Yediot Ahronot, in its third editorial, wonders at the faith of those who believe that a miracle will yet occur to prevent the implementation of the Disengagement Plan. BPI-info