KFAR MAIMON – Some 250 anti-disengagement protesters were arrested for trying to infiltrate the Gaza Strip early
Thursday, as police’s worst fears actualized when anti-disengagement protesters left Kfar Maimon and tried to infiltrate the Gaza Strip, in an attempt to reach Gush Katif.
Protest Fizzles
'Only 1,500 remain' / By Efrat Weiss and Hanan Greenberg
(Video) Police sources say most pullout objectors have left Kfar Maimon; earlier Yesha Council leaders try to stop anti-pullout activists heading out of Kfar Maimon after planned march to Gaza thwarted by security forces
One IDF soldier was trampled and about ten protesters arrested near the Gaza security fence about 5 a.m., when soldiers noticed four cars cutting across agricultural fields to evade security forces to get to the Kissufim Crossing.
Soldiers tried to stop the cars, but one managed to evade police. Two others crashed into one another, and one ignored police orders to halt, injuring one soldier in the process.
Shortly thereafter, soldiers detected hundreds of protesters, walking through agricultural fields in small groups, trying to get to Kissufim.
In addition to the 250 people eventually arrested, police believe more activists could be hiding in the fields and could try to inifiltrate Gush Katif.
Police praise council
The attempt to evade police came about the same time police spokesmen praised the Yesha Council
for acting "responsibly" to prevent clashes between protesters and security forces, but stressed they did not view the result as a victory.
“There are no winners here. We are not at war (with the protesters),” said Uri Bar-Lev, commander of the police southern district.
Police to reassess Thursday
Later Thursday, police are expected reassess the situation to decide how many officers to leave at Kfar Maimon over the weekend.
“I think we will have to continually reassess the situation,” said one officer, “(according to) the number of people here and the threat they represent. In the meanwhile, we will continue to operate with patience and understanding.
“It is clear to us and them there is no reason to clash. We will just have to wait-and-see,” he said.
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