Israel demolishes Gaza military installations

Israeli troops demolished the last military installations in the Gaza Strip today in final preparations to complete the pullout…

Israeli troops demolished the last military installations in the Gaza Strip today in final preparations to complete the pullout by early next week.

We don't want to be put in a situation that we are demolishing synagogues in front of the world, or some of our people may do something that we don't want them to do
Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator

Soldiers now left without bases and guard posts are to remain in armoured vehicles until the withdrawal is completed by Tuesday after 38 years of occupation.

The head of Israel's forces in Gaza, Brig Gen Aviv Kochavi, will be the last soldier to leave the coastal strip and will lock the gate of the Kissufim border crossing in a small ceremony.

All Israeli soldiers should be out of Gaza by Monday, but the pullout could be delayed by a day because of uncertainty over the fate of more than two dozen synagogues in Gaza's demolished Jewish settlements.

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The Israeli cabinet is to decide Sunday whether Israel will demolish the synagogues, or leave them intact, with the expectation the Palestinians will preserve them.

Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, urged Israel to demolish the synagogues.

"We maintain the highest respect for Judaism. We don't want to be put in a situation that we are demolishing synagogues in front of the world, or some of our people may do something that we don't want them to do," he said.

AP