6 security rings planned for pullout

TEL AVIV - Forces tasked with carrying out the upcoming settlement evacuation will be deployed in six different security rings, with the entire process taking place during daylight, a senior IDF officer said Tuesday.

The officer said security authorities prefer the internal ring, which will come in direct contact with settlers, would  be comprised of unarmed police officers. However, armed soldiers from the outer rings would step in should a large number of residents resist evacuation.

The second ring’s function would be to secure the settlements and the roads within the evicted areas, the officer said, and added the will be manned by armed soldiers.

The third ring would be comprised of soldiers, too, and would be tasked with isolating settlements and evacuation routes, in a bid to prevent possible Palestinian attacks.

Preparing for Hizbullah escalation

Meanwhile, the fourth ring would be tasked with conducting counter-terrorism activity in the event of terror attacks.

The fifth ring would be comprised of both soldiers and police tasked with blocking pullout objectors from entering the Strip. The sixth ring, meanwhile, would be outside the Strip and consist of police officers tasked with patroling southern Israel and blocking unwanted vehicles.

The IDF decided to carry out the evacuation during the day, the officer said, but added that in certain spots the operation would likely carry into the night.

The army is also preparing for a possible Hizbullah attempt to escalate the situation on the northern border. However, the organization is currently directing its attention to developments in Lebanon, the officer said.