The Israeli army declared the Gaza Strip's Jewish settlements a closed military zone on Thursday to prevent Israelis, other than residents, from entering all 21 settlements as part of efforts to foil far-right extremists attempt to disrupt Israel's planned pullout from Gaza.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Southern Command chief Major General Dan Harel signed the order after an overnight high-level security meeting over the escalating protests by Jewish extremists against the Gaza withdrawal due to begin in mid August.

The move is designed to prevent anti-pullout extremists from carrying out violent protests in Gaza as intelligence officials said more extremists intended to go to Gaza settlements.

The closure came in line with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's orders to the IDF on Wednesday to take all necessary measures to stem anti-pullout rampage.

Israel plans to evacuate all the 21 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and four in the northern West Bank this August. The plan, designed to "disengage" from conflicts with the Palestinians, has met with stepped-up protests from right-wing extremists and some settlers.

Israeli security forces clashed Wednesday with anti-pullout activists who barricaded themselves inside an abandoned building in a Palestinian village in Gaza adjacent to Gush Katif. Around 15 people were arrested.

In addition, anti-pullout demonstrators blocked main highways in sit-down protests across Israel during Wednesday evening rush hour and virtually jammed the traffic. Police arrested 150 people.

Source: Xinhua