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Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz with PA terrorist and Gaza security chief Mohammed Dahlan. (AP file photo)
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05/11
Haaretz Service and News Agencies |
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| By israelinsider staff and partners May 11, 2005 |
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Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz today said that Israel's security will improve after it withdraws from the Gaza Strip this summer.
"I think our security situation the day after the evacuation will improve over time," Mofaz said on the occasion of Memorial Day. "I also hope the number of civilian and military casualties will diminish to a minimum. This has to be looked at as a process, and not as a point in time immediately after the evacuation."
Leaving Gaza will afford Israel greater security "at a much lower cost," Mofaz said.
Mofaz also told Israel Radio he "unequivocally" opposes demolishing settlers' homes after they are evacuated, saying it would put soldiers in danger.
There is debate within the government over whether to leave settlers' homes standing after the pullout. Opponents say they want to spare settlers the sight of jubilant Palestinians taking over their homes. Mofaz on Wednesday repeated his support for letting the buildings stand.
"The defense establishment has concluded that it is not right to demolish the settlers' homes," he said.
The operation would stretch out the evacuation, and require soldiers to remain in hostile territory to raze the buildings, he said.
"I am not willing as Israel's defense minister to endanger soldiers to demolish settlers houses," he said.
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