IDF, settlers clash as IDF razes Gaza homes

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IDF, settlers clash as IDF razes Gaza homes

By YAAKOV KATZ AND JPOST STAFF

IDF bulldozers were in the midst of razing 11 abandoned structures near the Gush Katif settlement of Shirat Hayam Sunday afternoon, out of concern that far-right activists would bunker down in the compound, in the same manner as they had in the Gush Katif Palm Beach Hotel.

During the operation, scuffles broke out between IDF soldiers and settlers, during which a soldier sustained light injuries, Army Radio reported.

In addition, two settlers and a journalist were lightly wounded.

Six homes have been demolished so far. Work has been suspended due to the clashes between the settlers and IDF troops. The army said it hoped to complete the demolitions by nightfall.

The army said that it did not intend to spark clashes with the settlers but just to remove the homes which they feared would be used by right-wing disengagement opponents.

The settlers vowed that despite the demolitions they would still build new homes to house disengagement opponents. The also said that the army may have done them a favor by demolishing the old Egyptian structure and clearing the land.

"We planned to enter those structures to renovate them and to house right-wing activists there," said Noam Livnat, head of the pro-refusal movement Defensive Shield and a fairly new resident of Shirat Hayam. "The IDF tried to prevent this with their underhanded tactics and demolished the homes, but in the end it may work to our benefit that they cleared the area and now we can rebuild there."

One of the participating soldiers from the Engineering Corps refused to carry out his commander's orders and shouted what has become one of the leading anti-pullout slogans, "A Jew does not expel a Jew."

The soldier's personal weapon was taken from him and he was slated to stand trial for refusing to obey orders.

Meanwhile on Saturday night, right-wing activists holed up inside the Palm Beach Hotel claimed they had reached an agreement with the IDF and the police allowing the sides to back down from a possible confrontation and raid of the compound.

According to the alleged agreement reached between the hotel's attorney, Moti Mintzer, and Gaza Division commander Brig.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi and Southern District Police Chief Cmdr. Uri Bar-Lev, police would hand over the list of the activists they wish to question in relation to attacks on Palestinians last Saturday, and the activists have promised to appear for interrogation.

In return, the police and IDF would refrain from raiding the hotel, where the more extreme elements of the settlement movement are assembling.

The police on Sunday morning denied that such an agreement had been reached, according to an Army Radio report. They said they delivered a list of people whom they expected to present themselves for questioning, as is demanded by law.

After Shabbat ended on Saturday night, more right-wing activists began streaming toward the Gaza beach hotel, renamed Maoz Yam.

Those in the hotel were continuing to stock food and other supplies.

On Thursday night, special police units were preparing to raid the seaside resort to arrest the suspects and possibly even evacuate the entire compound, newly renovated by the anti-disengagement Kela Authority.

The break-in was postponed once knowledge of it was leaked to the settlers and officials held an urgent meeting.

The police and the IDF were investigating how the information about the planned raid got out to the settlers. One theory is that the report came out of a preparatory meeting that took place on Wednesday, though it is still unclear who is responsible for the leak.

Right-wing activists boasted that they have "more than one source" of information in the security establishment, according to Gush Katif spokesman Aryeh Yitzhaki, who spoke to Army Radio.

"I have all their plans for the next month and a half," Yitzhaki added.

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