Israel seals Gaza settlements, settlers defiant

[Behind the Aegis]

NEVE DEKALIM, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - Israel launched its Gaza pullout on Monday, sending police and soldiers to deliver 48-hour eviction notices in Jewish settlements where hundreds of hardliners blocked gates and vowed resistance.

The army sealed off the occupied territory overnight and began deploying after daybreak to tell Gaza settlers they must leave by Wednesday or be forcibly removed under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's "disengagement plan."

But troops mostly held back as defiant settlers, some swaying in prayer, used makeshift barricades and their bodies in a bid to prevent an operation paving the way for Israel's first uprooting of settlements on land Palestinians want for a state.

"A lot of blood was spilled on this holy land," said settler Chaim Gross in the Morag enclave. "It was presented to Abraham for the Jews and we are not going to leave it."

Continues here.

Hear, Israel, the Lord is our G-d, the Lord is One.
Blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever.
And you shall love the Lord your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart.

My thoughts are with two peoples today. I pray the Israelis are safe and return in peace. I pray the Palestinians use wisdom in creating their new state and learn to respect their neighbors.

[still_one]

1. SHALOM and SALAM

[Andromeda]

2. This is an historic time...

and I hope this ultimately works to the benefit of both sides. The importance of this cannot be overstated and I'm left to wonder why much more isn't made of it.

Extremists on both sides have interfered with previous peace agreements time after time so this pullout is extraordinary. There were no concessions or promises made by the PA that I'm aware of. It's just a start and I hope the PA becomes a stronger presence and is able to keep terrorist groups under control.

We can hope can't we?