We have succeeded in attaining our goal of evacuating Gaza on schedule while maintaining the dignity of the evacuees and avoiding violence in such a way that prevented a national rift with wide-scale ramifications, IDF Southern Command Head Dan Harel said Sunday.
Harel, who spoke in Netzarim just moments before the evacuation of the settlements was completed, said, “We are in the midst of a painful and difficult process. I believe this success belongs to all of us. We have managed to come out of the withdrawal with a scratch, meaning we will be able to heal and improve.”
He attributed the successful operation in Gaza to the settlers, saying, “The incident in Kfar Darom not withstanding, the settlers were noble in their behavior; a good example of this was the moving ceremony at the Neve Dekalim synagogue.”
Harel said the other factor that ensured a successful evacuation was the behavior of the evacuating forces in the ground.
“They displayed amazing maturity, wisdom, judgment and restraint,” he said.
The Southern Command chief added, “We are looking forward toward the healing period, during which we will be able to embrace each other and continue to exist as a unified nation.”
“The evacuation is over, the unity begins,” he said.