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Israel's Withdrawal from Gaza Israel finishes evacuating Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the West Bank in a little over a week, ahead of schedule. Palestinians wonder how their lives might change in the wake of the Gaza pullout as their leaders set January elections.

Special Series

Israel's Withdrawal from Gaza

Israel completes pullout of more than 8,000 Jewish settlers from Gaza ahead of schedule.

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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.

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.

Opinion

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Israel Completes West Bank Withdrawal

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Opinion

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.

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.

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.

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.

Restructuring after the Gaza Withdrawal

August 18, 2005 • Mohammad Samhouri, a Palestinian economist, talks about reconstruction and planning following Israel's withdrawal from Gaza.

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.

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.

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