A man is comforted after setting fire to one of the buildings on his property near the Jewish settlement of Rafiah Yam, in the southern Gaza Strip Sunday. Israeli troops sealed off the Gaza settlements at midnight. Photo by AP/BTA
About 9,000 settlers in the Gaza Strip received eviction notices as Israel's official withdrawal began in a move hailed by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas as "historic". The settlers are being given 48 hours to leave or face forcible removal. Reports say violence erupted between protesters and Israeli security forces in various locations, including Neve Dekalim - the biggest Gaza settlement. Israeli leader Ariel Sharon said the Gaza pullout is a painful step, but essential to secure Israel's future. In a TV address, Sharon insisted Israel could not hold on to the Gaza Strip forever and pledged full support for those settlers forced to leave.