(Communicated by the IDF Spokesman)
Up until now, the disengagement has started with the Israeli communities in the Gaza Strip, according to paragraph 22B of the Implementation of the Disengagement Plan Law 2005. IDF and Israel Police forces have completed the majority of communities: Gadid, Gan Or, Kfar Darom, Netzar Hazani, Neve Dekalim, Shirat Hayam, Kfar Yam, Morag, Ganei Tal, Bedolah, Kerem Atzmona and Tel Katifa.
The communities of Slav, Rafah Yam, Pe'at Sadeh, Nisanit and Dugit were evacuated by the residents without the involvement of IDF or Israel Police forces.
On Sunday (21 August 2005) the disengagement will continue in the Israeli communities in the Gaza Strip.
Gadid:
The community was home to 63 families as we entered the period of the implementation of the disengagement plan. 300 civilians were evacuated from the community when it was evacuated on Friday (19 August 2005). It was the twelfth community to be evacuated from the Gaza Strip.
Gan Or:
The community was home to 57 families as we entered the period of the implementation of the disengagement plan. More than 350 citizens were evacuated from the community on Thursday (18 August 2005). During Thursday's disengagement about 180 civilians had fortified themselves inside a synagogue where they held out until that evening.
Kfar Darom:
Kfar Darom was evacuated on Thursday (18 August 2005). About 650 citizens and 160 additional protestors were evacuated. After attempts to negotiate failed, IDF and Israel Police forces were forced to break into a synagogue in the community were about 200 residents had fortified themselves. During the evacuation of the synagogue, 31 soldiers and police officers were lightly injured, some of whom were injured by a substance suspected of being a type of acid.
Netzer Hazani:
The community was home to 80 families as we entered the period of the implementation of the disengagement plan. More than 600 people were evacuated on Thursday (18 August 2005) afternoon. As IDF and Israel Police forces entered the community, residents lit fire to the gate at the entrance of the community and threw rocks and paint at security forces on the scene. It didn't take long for security forces to get the fire under control and start evacuating the residents. As the evacuation drew to a close, the residents held a farewell ceremony and then left the community in a cooperative and orderly manner.
Neve Dekalim:
The community was withdrawn from on Wednesday and Thursday (17-18 August 2005) as more than 1,850 residents were evacuated, a portion of whom left on their own consenting to the events, while others objected and violently struggled against security forces trying to take them away.
Shirat Hayam and Kfar Yam:
The community of Shirat Hayam was home to 12 families and Kfar Yam was home to a few families and dozens of protestors as we entered the period of the implementation of the disengagement plan. The disengagement took place on Thursday (18 August 2005) afternoon and was finished that evening. Between the two communities more than 450 citizens were evacuated. Dozens of individuals fortified themselves in a house in Kfar Yam. After extended negotiations the protestors gave up their guns and some time later the house was completely evacuated. Some of the residents went out onto the Mediterranean in an attempt to avoid evacuation. Following negotiations Israel Navy forces brought the residents out of the sea.
Morag:
The community was home to 34 families as we entered the period of the implementation of the disengagement plan. 178 residents were evacuated on Wednesday (17 August 2005). An IDF soldier was lightly wounded as a result of a civilian stabbing her with a syringe.
Bedolah:
The community was home to 35 families as we entered the period of the implementation of the disengagement plan. 240 people were evacuated from the community on Wednesday (17 August 2005).
Kerem Atzmona:
The community was home to 12 families as we entered the period of the implementation of the disengagement plan. 43 people were evacuated from the community on Wednesday (17 August 2005).
Ganei Tal:
The community was home to 85 families as we entered the period of the implementation of the disengagement plan. 450 people were evacuated from the community on Wednesday (17 August 2005).
Tal Katifa:
Tel Katifa was the first community to be evacuated. The community was home to 16 families as we entered the period of the implementation of the Disengagement Plan. 56 people were evacuated from the community on Wednesday (17 August 2005).