GAZA CITY, Aug 13: Palestinian forces went on full alert on Saturday as they deployed in strength in the Gaza Strip four days before Israel’s historic pullout, but militant group Hamas vowed to continue its armed campaign.
Some 7,500 Palestinian police started to deploy in the territory in a bid to ensure a withdrawal free of violence, taking up posts they had not held since the outbreak of the intifada in September 2000.
“Palestinian police and national security have redeployed around the settlements and along bypass roads,” a senior security official told AFP.
The Palestinian forces, whose deployment was coordinated with the Israeli army, remained confined to a back-up role and will only reclaim full security control when the pullout is complete.
Palestinian interior minister Nasr Yussef placed his troops on highest alert, said a statement posted on the ministry website.
It also announced Yussef and Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz were due to meet in Tel Aviv on Sunday night to coordinate the pullout.
Some 40,000 Israeli forces have deployed for the watershed operation that kicks off on Sunday at midnight when a two-day grace period begins during which settlers will receive the army’s assistance to leave of their own accord.
Once that deadline passes, Israeli security forces will forcibly evacuate anyone who has not left voluntarily.
Mahmoud Abbas has appealed to militant groups for the pullout to take place in a “civilised manner” in order to strengthen the case for independence and reiterated calls for an end to rocket firing.—AFP
