Israel allowed 16 Palestinians expelled from the West Bank during the uprising to return to their homes. Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz decided Thursday to allow the return, beginning Friday, of Palestinians expelled during the uprising from the West Bank to Gaza Strip on suspicion of "terror" activities.
On Sunday, the Israeli Cabinet is set to vote on a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements this summer. Easy passage is expected.
Mohammed Dahlan, a former Gaza Strip security chief, told Israel Radio Friday that the withdrawal would not be conducted under Palestinian fire.
But he warned that if the Israeli army does not leave the Philadelphi corridor on the Gaza Strip-Egypt border, then the patrol road risked turning into another Shebaa Farms, a disputed area near the Israel-Lebanon border where Lebanese Hizbullah fighters periodically launch attacks on Israeli soldiers, Israel Radio said.
