No more human flak jackets

Four days to pullout: Most weapons have been collected from settlers slated for evacuation in next week's pullout, IDF Southern Commander Dan Harel said Thursday, speaking at the final training exercise at Kibbutz Kerem Shalom.   

In addition, Harel called for all settlers to voluntarily leave Gush Katif prior to the official start, scheduled for August 17.

"We respect the residents' right to protest, but are requesting - after four-and-a-half years of standing strong in the face of continuous fighting, of IDF soldiers being their human flak jackets - that they stand up and leave, because we have already passed evacuation day," he said.

"We know they have no interest in confronting soldiers or police." 

IDF sources said Thursday that no less than 400 teams of soldiers would offer their assistance to settler families that would choose to evacuate willingly.

“We will even look after the children while the parents pack,” one source said.

On Wednesday Harel took part in a farewell ceremony for settlers leaving the Gaza settlement of Pe’at Sadeh.

'Settlers coming to terms with pullout'

The Southern Command Chief addressed the soon-to-be evacuees, saying the IDF fully understands their pain. Moreover, IDF officials said they estimate resistance to the evacuation would be minor in light of the strong bond between settlers and the military.

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, who was also present at the summarizing pullout exercise, said the first 48 hours (August 15-17) of the evacuation, during which security forcers would assist settlers choosing to evacuate willingly, would be crucial.

The IDF is referring to this period as “Lending a hand to our brothers.”

“I sense the settlers are beginning to come to terms (with the pullout), but there will still be resistance,” Mofaz said.

As to the pullout objectors who have infiltrated Gush Katif as of late, the defense minister said they would be permitted to leave the area during the first few hours of the disengagement.