Moshav Netiv Ha'asara
Photo: Tsafrir Abayov
Security scare in south
Residents of Moshav Netiv Ha'asara, on Gaza Border, told to stay in homes following suspected infiltration; residents: 'army has abandoned us'
Life after Gaza: Residents of Moshav Netiv Ha'asara, Kibbutz Erez and Kibbutz Yad Mordechai were ordered by IDF officials to remain in their homes after signs of an infiltration were discovered early Friday along the Gaza security fence.
IDF officials said two Palestinian youths climbed over the fence to reach Israeli territory.
Several hours later, residents were permitted to leave their homes with military escorts after IDF forces caught one of the teens with no weapons.
Elei Sinai: off to Ashkelon
Following the incident, 30 families from the former Gaza community Elei Sinai told Disengagement Authority officials they would leave their temporary quarters at Kibbutz Carmiya to take up residence at the Shirat Hayam Hotel in Ashkelon.
The evacuees said the kibbutz had no bomb shelters to protect them from infiltrations or Qassam rockets.
For the past two weeks, Netiv Ha'asara has been subjected to rock throwing by Palestinians near the fence of the community, and residents have complained the IDF has yet to complete a double fence around Gaza.
Residents feel abandoned
Penina Ragolski, head of the moshav governing committee, said the army failed to complete security preparations before pulling out of Gaza, leaving the moshav exposed and vulnerable to Palestinian attacks.
Residents consulted with the IDF commander in the area in recent days to discuss fears of a Palestinian escalation, after a hand grenade was thrown at the community.
"What is going on today is yet another proof that we have been virtually abandoned by the authorities. We want the army to let us know about the things going on here, not to stand speechless near the fence," said one resident.
"They must finish the security arrangements they promised us. Maybe that would calm people down," he said.
