Jewish fundamentalists established an unofficial settlement in Gaza today at a site where settlers clashed with Israeli troops attempting to dismantle the village as part of the Israel withdrawal.
Yesterday’s disturbance, in which 20 people were injured and a soldier was arrested for refusing orders, raised fears that Israel's pullout from occupied Gaza and part of the West Bank in August would spark violence.
Witnesses said 30 Jewish nationalists moved into an abandoned cottage and planted a flag on the roof close to the ruins of 11 other old bungalows bulldozed on the beach opposite the Gush Katif.
The Israeli army declined immediate comment on what it would do about the new outpost on the Mediterranean seafront.
A council spokesman criticised the army for tearing down the buildings and vowed it would not sap opposition to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to "disengage" from conflict with the Palestinians.