Triumphant Palestinians take over abandoned Jewish settlements in Gaza
Gaza (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Thousands of triumphant Palestinians poured into abandoned Jewish settlements early on Monday, setting buildings on fire, ripping out window frames and shooting in the air, as convoys of Israeli troops rolled out of the Gaza Strip in the final phase of Israel's pullout from the territory after 38 years of occupation.
Palestinian police stood by helplessly as crowds set fire to an empty synagogue and a Jewish seminary, and gunmen raised the flags of militant groups, including that of Hamas. Initial plans by Palestinian police to bar the crowds from the settlements for the first few hours quickly collapsed, illustrating the weakness of the Palestinian security forces and concerns about growing chaos after Israel's departure.
Gaza's night sky turned orange as fires roared across the settlements. Women ululated, teens set off fireworks and crowds chanted "God is great."
"It is only the first step to more liberation ... tomorrow we liberate all of Palestine," Gaza resident Mohammed Khamish Habboush shouted into a mosque loudspeaker.
Israel had demolished nearly all buildings in its 21 Gaza settlements, but decided at the last minute to leave 19 synagogue buildings intact, a decision criticised by the Palestinians and the United States.
After flooding the settlements early on Monday, Palestinians carried off what was left in the debris, including chairs, tables and shopping carts. Young men tore down electricity poles, grabbing the wires, ripped out toilets and walked off with doors and window frames.
Palestinian police appeared overwhelmed, watching the destruction from the sidelines.
Some 5,000 Israeli troops left in Gaza began driving toward Israel early on Monday, and the last Israeli soldier was to be out by daybreak. Around 3am on Monday (8am HK time), the first convoy passed into Israel through the Kissufim crossossing.
Two tanks broke down because of mechanical problems, and troops waited for huge tow trucks to arrive. Soldiers fired in the air to deter Palestinians from approaching.
Late on Sunday, Israeli troops lowered their national banner in Neve Dekalim, snapped farewell pictures and closed army headquarters, which were left intact for use by the Palestinians.
In a sombre farewell ceremony, the Israeli commander in Gaza, Brigadier- General Aviv Kochavi, expressed hope the pullout would be a step toward peace.
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