Mofaz advises PM to withdraw almost entirely from Gaza

[Gimel]

Israel should withdraw almost entirely from the Gaza Strip, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz recommended to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Wednesday. Mofaz presented Sharon with the defense establishment's recommendations on his disengagement plan during a special meeting on Wednesday morning. The fate of Israel's three settlements in the northern Strip is yet to be decided.

The military officials have also recommended maintaining control over the Philadelphi route on the Rafah-Egypt border in the southern Strip due to its strategic importance.

<snip>

Sharon met Wednesday morning with the defense minister and top officials to discuss his disengagement plan ahead of his expected trip to the U.S. at the end of the month. Sharon is expected to discuss his disengagement plan with the administration as well as what Israel will get in return for withdrawing from the Gaza Strip and dismantling settlements.

<snip>

Read more at Haraetz...

[meti57b]

1. I hope the plan will work.

I am almost afraid that the terrorists will respond to the withdrawal, with attacks inside Israel.