Middle East Palestinians Flood Into Abandoned Gaza Areas September 12, 2005 Palestinians celebrated in the abandoned Jewish settlements of the Gaza Strip today, just hours after the last Israeli soldier left the territory, following 38 years of occupation. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Last Israeli Troops Exit Gaza Strip September 12, 2005 The last Israeli soldiers leave Gaza early Monday, ending 38 years of Israeli occupation. Thousands of Palestinians rushed into the area that used to be the Jewish settlements in Gaza, and burned at least four synagogues. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Israeli Withdraws; What's Next for U.S.? August 30, 2005 In the wake of Israel's historic withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, some American analysts argue that Washington should push for a final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while others advocate a step-by-step approach. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Creating a New Gaza August 29, 2005 With the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza complete, attention turns to plans for redevelopment in the area. Nigel Roberts of the World Bank tells Renee Montagne about rebuilding prospects and obstacles to economic recovery. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Withdrawal Protests Relied on Teenage Activists August 24, 2005 In Israel, "the kids in orange" are young Orthodox Jews who were at the forefront of the resistance to Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East The Gaza Pullout through Palestinian Eyes August 24, 2005 The historic Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip has ended, but new challenges have just begun for the Palestinians who will now settle the area. The Palestinian Authority must grapple with issues such as electricity, security, water rights and housing for Gaza's new residents. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Israel Completes West Bank Withdrawal August 23, 2005 Israeli troops and police complete the evacuation of settlements in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Troops have already begun demolishing the settler homes in Gaza prior to handing the territory over to the Palestinian Authority in a few weeks. Listen Loading… Playlist
Middle East Palestinians Face New Power Struggle August 23, 2005 The Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip sets the stage for an intensified power struggle between the ruling Fatah movement of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and the militants of the Islamic group Hamas. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Gaza Withdrawal May Usher in New Economy August 22, 2005 With Israel evacuating troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip, new talk is circulating about a Palestinian economy. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Former Gaza Settlers Face Uncertain Future August 22, 2005 Many of Gaza's former Jewish settlers are living in hotels around Israel, uncertain of their future. Those who refused to leave Gaza voluntarily face the prospect of much less help from the government. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Gaza Fishermen Anxious About Future August 21, 2005 As the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza continues, Palestinian fishermen in the region wonder whether or not Israel will lift current restrictions that limit where they may fish. Israel imposed the restrictions as a security measure during the Intifada, but the fishing constraints have had both economic and environmental impacts. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Gaza Pullout Proceeds; Abbas Sets Vote August 20, 2005 Israel has completed most of its planned withdrawal of Jewish settlements from Gaza. Four settlements await final evacuation after a break for the Sabbath. Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sets elections for late January. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East A Jewish Farmer Reluctantly Departs Gaza August 20, 2005 A week ago, celery farmer Anita Tucker said she would try to convince Israeli soldiers to let her stay in Gaza. Now she tells Scott Simon she's on her way to temporary housing in the Golan Heights. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Israelis Watch as Violence in Gaza Winds Down August 19, 2005 In just five days, Israel has nearly cleared Gaza of all Jewish settlers. The process has sometimes been traumatic; scenes of violence Thursday in one settlement, Kfar Darom, have disturbed many in Israel. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East As Gaza Settlers Leave, Palestinians Cheer, Plan August 19, 2005 Palestinians have been watching the Israeli army evict Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip with undisguised satisfaction. But many are worried about what the future may hold. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Analysis West Bank Withdrawal May Be Less Smooth August 19, 2005 Robert Siegel talks with Jerusalem Post editor-in-chief David Horovitz about the continuing settlement withdrawal by Israel. Most settlements in the Gaza Strip were cleared out this week, but next week four West Bank settlements are to be evacuated. Horovitz says the West Bank evacuations could be more complicated than Gaza, because Israel is still retaining much of its territory in the West Bank. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Caught in the Middle in Gaza August 19, 2005 Eldad Gal-Ed's role in the evacuation of Jewish settlements in Gaza: make sure soldiers avoid excessive force. His own family was evicted. Gal-Ed tells Steve Inskeep the process left emotional wounds. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Emotions Mixed as Troops Force Gaza Evacuations August 18, 2005 Col. Ronan Wolf of the Israeli Defense Forces talks about how the Israeli military is handling the evacuation of settlers from the Gaza Strip. Wolf says that many soldiers have mixed emotions as they interact with settlers on the difficult mission. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Amid Pullout, Palestinians Voice Security Concerns August 18, 2005 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urges Palestinians to avoid violence during forcible evacuations of Jewish settlements in Gaza and parts of the West Bank. But militant Palestinian factions continue to claim the pullout as a victory, and tensions are high. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Restructuring after the Gaza Withdrawal August 18, 2005 Mohammad Samhouri, a Palestinian economist, talks about reconstruction and planning following Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Palestinians Heartened by a Withdrawal August 17, 2005 What do Palestinians make of the Israeli withdrawal form Gaza this week? Robert Siegel talks with Ziyad Abu-Amr, an independent member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Leaving Gaza: One Family's Story August 17, 2005 Israeli military officials say that by midnight Tuesday, about half of the almost 9,000 settlers in Gaza had left voluntarily. Yehiam and Tzippi Sharabi came to the Gaza settlement of Gadid 23 years ago, and left the area Tuesday. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Palestinian Doctor Reacts to Gaza Pullout August 17, 2005 Dr. Eyad Serraj talks about what life is like in Gaza for Palestinians. He is a psychiatrist and director of the Gaza Mental Health Institute. Serraj says he hopes to travel more freely now, but he remains apprehensive about security in the area. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Middle East Gaza Arrests Come as Settlers Leave Area August 16, 2005 Confrontations erupt as Israeli settlers protest their forced removal from the Gaza Strip. The clashes came as other settlers rushed to leave the area before the midnight withdrawal deadline. At least 50 arrests have been reported. Listen Loading… Download Playlist
Analysis Understanding the Geography of Gaza August 16, 2005 The Israeli resettlement and movement away from Gaza is related to geography as well as differences between Israel and Palestinians. Michele Norris talks with Dennis Ross of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Listen Loading… Download Playlist