Accessibility links
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.
thumbnail
Special Series

Israel's Withdrawal from Gaza

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

Monday

Last Israeli Troops Exit Gaza Strip

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.

Last Israeli Troops Exit Gaza Strip

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4841877/4841878" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Palestinians Flood Into Abandoned Gaza Areas

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.

Palestinians Flood Into Abandoned Gaza Areas

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4843167/4843168" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Opinion

Israeli Withdraws; What's Next for U.S.?

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.

Israeli Withdraws; What's Next for U.S.?

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4824556/4824557" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

Creating a New Gaza

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.

Creating a New Gaza

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4821295/4821296" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

The Gaza Pullout through Palestinian Eyes

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.

The Gaza Pullout through Palestinian Eyes

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4814014/4814015" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Israel Completes West Bank Withdrawal

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

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4812619/4812620" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Palestinians Face New Power Struggle

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.

Palestinians Face New Power Struggle

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4812646/4812647" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

Former Gaza Settlers Face Uncertain Future

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.

Former Gaza Settlers Face Uncertain Future

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4809629/4809630" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Gaza Fishermen Anxious About Future

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 Fishermen Anxious About Future

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4809356/4809357" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Saturday

A Jewish Farmer Reluctantly Departs Gaza

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.

A Jewish Farmer Reluctantly Departs Gaza

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4808359/4808360" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Gaza Pullout Proceeds; Abbas Sets Vote

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.

Gaza Pullout Proceeds; Abbas Sets Vote

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4808356/4808357" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

Analysis

West Bank Withdrawal May Be Less Smooth

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.

West Bank Withdrawal May Be Less Smooth

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4807613/4807614" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

As Gaza Settlers Leave, Palestinians Cheer, Plan

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.

As Gaza Settlers Leave, Palestinians Cheer, Plan

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4807610/4807611" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript