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White tents set up by new arrivals to the Jewish settlement of Morag in southern Gaza Strip. (AP)
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08/11
Haaretz |
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| By israelinsider staff and partners August 11, 2005 |
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Senior IDF and Israeli Police officers have admitted that the number of right-wing activists who have infiltrated Gush Katif has risen significantly.
They estimate a total of 2,700 people, which marks an increase of 700 since their last public estimate.
Evidently, a few hundred of the illegal activists in Gush Katif arrived before the Gaza Strip was closed to non-residents on July 13.
Others arrived in a variety of ways. But, with the exception of people entering freely into the three northern Gaza Strip settlements -- Elei Sinai, Dugit and Nisanit -- whose northern fence was never completed, most infiltrators did not cross fences surrounding Gush Katif settlements. Instead, most of them arrived either by receiving a temporary entry permit, or by misleading soldiers and policemen at the Kissufim crossing.
The police admit that the permit policy is the main weak spot for keeping out infiltrators. For example, on Monday 1,040 permits were distributed to visitors to Gush Katif. The permits are valid for between 36 and 72 hours, but many of the visitors ignore the restriction and stay in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF was far stricter last week, and even prevented people from entering for an engagement party. But military sources said that "the assertiveness loosened a little" this week, to enable settlers' relatives to pay farewell visits.
The Kissufim roadblock is the system's second weak spot. In recent weeks, anti-pullout activists have tried a variety of deceptive methods to cross the spot. Some entered with papers of Gush Katif residents, who had smuggled them out of the Strip to friends, while others passed through the roadblock wearing IDF uniforms. Others simply applied psychological pressure on soldiers at the barricade until they caved.
Several tent towns, housing the many visitors who have sprung up in settlements such as Shirat Hayam, Kfar Darom and Morag, have come into existence.
Despite the increase in the number of infiltrators, the army believes they will not hinder the evacuation. Military sources said Wednesday night that most of the illegal visitors are not expected to be violent.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz on Thursday said he believed that most of the Gaza Strip settlers would leave their homes peacefully during the first two days of the disengagement.
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