Israel Israel's evacuation of settlers from the Gaza Strip continued apace today.
Despite encountering some resistance from settlers – particularly youths who have infiltrated the Gaza Strip in recent months – the evacuation process appeared to be proceeding quicker than expected.

By Wednesday afternoon, information from the Disengagement Authority suggested that eight settlements were entirely empty: Dugit, Nisanit, Tel Katifa, Bedolah, Kerem Atzmona, Morag, Pe,at Saadeh and Shalev (Slav).

There were also only one and two families left in the settlements of Rafiah Yam and Kfar Yam respectively.
Israeli army officials suggested today that the evacuation of all the settlers from the Gaza Strip could be complete by Sunday or Monday of next week.
The evacuation has encountered less resistance than expected, despite furious arguments and protests by settlers.
The army has also suggested that demolition of structures in the settlements could begin next week.
A Jewish settler from the West Bank shot dead at least four Palestinians today, at the entrance to the West Bank settlement of Shilo.
The gunman, identified as Asher Weissgan, later turned himself into police.
Weissgan reportedly worked driving Palestinians working in the settlement.
He is said to have pulled a knife on the settlement's security guard and then used the guard's gun to kill Palestinian workers in his car.
He then got out of the car and shot several more Palestinians.

Later, in the Gaza Strip, several home-made rockets were fired at settlements and gunfire erupted.
No injuries were reported as a result.
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz announced today that Palestinians would not be allowed access to evacuated settlements for up to a month after the exit of all settlers from Gaza.
He said that the Israeli army would maintain a presence in the settlements for a period that might extend for a month and claimed that the Palestinian Authority was informed of these plans during the coordination meetings.
The Palestinian Authority disputed that they had been told.
The Israeli Supreme Court today issued an injunction banning the destruction of 26 synagogues in Gaza Strip settlements.
The Israeli government had planned to demolish the synagogues, but Israeli law requires Jewish prayer buildings to be treated with respect and the court thus decided that the buildings had to be dismantled and rebuilt elsewhere.
Palestine Israel today approved an increase in the number of trucks transporting goods through the Karni Crossing.
The number is set to increase from 40 to 300.
In a related move, Israel requested US financial aid to improve the capacity of the crossing points between Gaza and Israel.
Hamas today reiterated its intention to remain armed and continue attacks until the end of the occupation.
Hamas spokesman in the Gaza Strip, Samy Abu Zuhri, said that all internal Palestinian disputes would be resolved through national dialogue.
However, he warned that the Palestinian Authority only had the right to confiscate weapons being used in illegal practices, such as kidnappings and crime.

Islamic Jihad today emphasized the group's commitment to calm during the disengagement to ensure the withdrawal proceeded as quickly and smoothly as possible.
The group also reiterated their intention to remain armed after the disengagement, but said that the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority would not be challenged.
The group called for a political solution for inclusion of armed groups similar to that achieved in Lebanon.

Palestinians were today warned to refrain from entering evacuated Gaza Strip settlements before the Palestinian Ministry of Health carried out safety checks.
Minister of Health Zohni Al Whidi warned that radioactive material could be present in the settlements and called on Palestinians to wait until the evacuated areas had been declared safe before entering them.

Palestinian Minister of Housing Mohammed Ishtayeh said today that the Palestinian Authority is planning to improve capacity at Gaza's border crossings.
The plan includes upgrading and renovation at the Rafah Terminal, Al Muntar/Karni crossing, Beit Hanoun/Erez crossing and the Tarkomia crossing in the West Bank.