Settler homes to be destroyed

JERUSALEM - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Sunday that Israel and the Palestinians agree that settler homes slated for evacuation during Israel’s pullout from the Gaza Strip should be destroyed, as she continued efforts to push forward coordination on the plan.

Speaking in Jerusalem after meeting Israeli leaders, Rice, who is visiting Israel and the Palestinian Authority to push forward cooperation on the withdrawal, said: ”Israel and the Palestinian Authority agree that the settler homes of Gaza should be removed. Therefore parties will work toward a plan for destruction and cleanup.”

 
Israel has in the past expressed concerns over leaving the houses intact to avoid scenes of terrorists dancing on rooftops. The Palestinian government has said the settler homes were unsuitable for Palestinians and that large apartment buildings that would accommodate large families are preferable.

“Both parties will take the necessary actions and will coordinate such actions where appropriate, to ensure a peaceful disengagement and create the conditions for economic viability and hope for the Palestinian people,” Rice said.

Meanwhile, violence raged on in Gaza as Israeli forces on the Egypt-Gaza border killed a terrorist after gunmen launched anti-tank missiles at troops in the area, injuring two soldiers and a civilian. The soldier later died of his wounds.

Attacks have increased ahead of Israel's pullout from all 21 settlements in Gaza and four of 120 from the West Bank. Terrorists have bombarded Israeli targets in recent weeks in what they said were retaliations to Israeli killings of gunmen in the West Bank and Gaza.

Israeli-Palestinian coordination on demolitions

Rice also said U.S. economic envoy James Wolfensohn, who will arrive in the region ahead of the pullout, would help Israel and the Palestinians create a plan to demolish the homes and clean up the rubble. She said she would seek economic assistance from abroad to help push forward the plan.
 

Environment Minister Shalom Simchon said efforts must be made to ensure the razing of settler homes would be done esthetically, and that asbestos would be removed promptly and efficiently from the rubble to avoid unnecessary health risks and pollution.

He also said his office would help put together a team that would work with the Palestinians to implement the demolitions.

Rice said earlier at a press conference with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that the withdrawal would enhance Israeli security and build trust in the Palestinians, as she continued to push efforts to ensure a smooth Israel withdrawal in coordination with the Palestinian Authority. 

”A successful disengagement will enhance the security of Israel and it should give a sense of confidence and trust between the Israelis as they look to a better future," she said.
 

Sharon said the United States is playing an important role in the implementation of Israel’s planned evacuation of all 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip and four of 120 from the West Bank in August.

”I believe successful implementation of the plan, quietly and in coordination with the Palestinians, will allow a return to the road map, on the condition that the Palestinians stop terror and violence and carry out the necessary governmental reforms,” the Israeli leader said.

David Hacohen contributed to this report