israel

Terrorists, Protesters Impede Gaza Pullout Plan

By John Waage
CBN News Sr. Analyst

CBN.com – JERUSALEM, Israel – More violence surrounds Israel's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Israeli protesters have fought with the military to protest the pullout, and the radical group Hezbollah has taken advantage of Israel's focus on the Gaza withdrawal, by attacking Israeli troops on the border with Lebanon.

Israel complained to the United Nations after a Hezbollah mortar attack killed one Israeli soldier Wednesday and wounded several others. Israel retaliated by pounding Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

The attack sent many residents of northern Israel rushing to bomb shelters. Israeli military leaders have been concerned that Hezbollah would try to harass Israel from the north, while Israel tries to pull out of the Gaza strip.

But some analysts said the attack is designed to warn Lebanon’s political leaders in Beirut that Hezbollah can still make trouble for them, as well as Israel.

In the meantime, Israel’s security forces have closed off the Gaza Strip to prevent outside protesters from coming there. The closure came after several dozen Jewish extremists were arrested and evicted Wednesday from an empty Palestinian home they had occupied to protest the pullout plan.

The protesters fought with Israeli troops who had to protect one Palestinian youth from being lynched.

Police also arrested more than 100 other protestors Wednesday. The protesters blocked roads and shut down traffic in major Israeli cities.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon warned the protestors that the government will enforce the law. But it is not likely to prevent at least several more weeks of unrest.

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