Israel sets to delay Gaza pullout by three weeks

A source in Israeli Prime Minister's office said Thursday the withdrawal of settlers from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank will be postponed by three weeks to Aug. 15, local newspaper Ha'aretz reported Friday.

The daily quoted an unnamed official in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office as saying that Sharon will approve the delay.

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Thursday that he favored beginning the pullout after a traditional mourning period which ends on Aug. 14.

Sharon hinted his inclinations on Monday to delay the expected Gaza pullout scheduled for late July following a request by chief Sephardic rabbi Shlomo Amar who said religious Jews shall not move houses during the three-week mourning.

But Sharon vowed at the same time that the evacuation will be carried out despite possible short delay and settlers' opposition.

Meanwhile, senior Palestinian and Israeli officials held talks on Thursday over the coordination of the coming Gaza withdrawal.

The pullout plan calls for a withdrawal of Israeli forces and settlers from all 21 settlements in Gaza and four out of 120 in the West Bank this summer.

Source: Xinhua