Forces leave Neve Dekalim

(Video) During first day of forced evacuation, forces remove residents from about quarter of Gaza homes, buildings; settlement of Kerem Atzmona evacuated, some settlers leave homes with hands up, Orange Stars. Tal Katifa evacuated within hours; negotiations under way to arrange quiet pullout from Neve Dekalim

Ynetnews reporters|Last update: 08.17.05 , 21:21

Video: Security forces left the Gush Katif settlement of Neve Dekalim Wednesday night, as hundreds of youngsters broke into song and dance.

Several hundred youngsters, many of them youths who had infiltrated the settlement, entered the synagogues to avoid evacuation. About 20 youngsters climbed onto the roof of one of the synagogues, waved flags and recited psalms. A while later, police left the area.

In response, the youngsters broke into song inside the synagogues and started to dance, celebrating their victory - at least for a short time.

So far, the pullout is proving to be a big success story for the army and police: Even in locations where security forces expected to face resistance, opposition to the pullout proved to be weak. So far, troops evacuated residents from 583 buildings and homes out of a total of 2,206 structures in Gush Katif.

Sights and sounds of Gaza evacuation (Reuters):

Despite the relatively smooth evacuation, the day was filled with some difficult moments. In the afternoon, a group of settlers left their homes with their hands up and wearing an Orange Stars on their clothes, an allusion to the Yellow Star of David worn by Jews during the Holocaust.

Ganei Tal couple weeping (Photo: AP)

Elsewhere, a father was shaking his baby in the face of security forces, while a Neve Dekalim resident ran towards police commander Uri Bar-Lev while screaming “Take her, expel her.”

Settlers leave with hands up

In Neve Dekalim, soldiers were divided into small groups that patrolled the area and called on residents, using megaphones, to “please leave your homes.” In some locations, the troops found empty houses, while elsewhere they encountered sobbing settlers.

Later, authorities held talks with several families who asked for an extension so they are able to finish packing before they are forced to leave.

However, one police officer sustained light injuries in a hit-and-run accident at the exit from Neve Dekalim.

In Kerem Atzmona, forces evacuated 16 families (70 people overall). About 1,500 police officers took part in the evacuation. Earlier, security authorities expected stiff resistance, but reality turned out to be much less problematic. The troops quickly realized that the hundreds of infiltrators feared to have entered the community have left.

Neve Dekalim settlers comfort each other (Photo: AP)

In some homes, settlers created a “mini-drama,” barricading themselves and calling soldiers “Nazis.” At one point, one family left home with the children and parents holding their hands up and wearing Orange Stars with the word “Jew” on them.

Security forces are expected to evacuate Atzmona, but for now the daily routine in the settlement continues. A secretariat official said all 85 families remain in the settlement.

The illegal settlement of Tel Katifa in north Gush Katif was evacuated in a few hours with no violent incidents. IDF troops were forces to storm the local synagogue, where dozens of yeshiva students had barricaded themselves. The troops dragged the students away and boarded them onto buses.

The soldiers also stormed the home of the settlement’s rabbi, Nadiv Turgeman, and evacuated him and his family by force. Most local settlers evacuated willingly following negotiations with the army. Soldiers assisted the settlers in packing their belongings, as the locals did not acknowledge the evacuation until Wednesday morning.

Many of the settlers wore orange stars, and some tried to convince the soldiers to refuse evacuation orders.

The soldiers, in turn, were quite gentle in their behavior and even found the time to entertain the stunned children, some of whom were forcibly dragged wait from their homes.

A convoy of teary-eyed residents left Ganei Tal Wednesday afternoon. The settlers were waving black and orange flags, and signs reading, “Gush Katif forever” were placed on some of the cars.

A few families refused to join the departing convoy and remained locked up in their homes. Police forces surrounded the homes in an attempt to get them out.

Southern Command Chief Dan Harel arrived at the Gush Katif settlement of Ganei Tal to monitor the evacuation. By Wednesday evening, the evacuation of Ganei Tal had been completed.

Harel was greeted by dozens of settlers who cursed him and demanded he leave the settlement. He left the area a few minutes later.

Head of IDF Operations Directorate Major General Yisrael Ziv, who also arrived in Gush Katif, said the evacuation may be completed ahead of schedule barring any unforeseen extreme acts.

It is estimated the evacuation may be completed by early next week.

Ynet reporters in the field:

Efrat Weiss, Neve Dekali

Ronny Sofer, Neve Dekalim

Ilan Marciano, Neve Dekalim

Yaron Brenner, Neve Dekalim

Hanan Greenberg, Morag

Roee Nahmias, Ganei Tal

Aya Ben-Amos, Morag

Miri Chason, Netzer Hazani

Ahiya Raved, Shirat HaYam

Tani Goldstein, Tel Katifa