The Israeli cabinet approved the removal of three isolated Gaza Jewish settlements in a vote on Sunday, with 17 in favor and five against.

While the cabinet has approved the disengagement several times, it must vote separately for the removal of each of four groups of settlements to be evacuated from the Gaza Strip.

The five who voted against the removal were Health Minister Dan Naveh, Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Education Minister Limor Livnat, Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz and Minister- without-Portfolio Tzahi Hanegbi.

Livnat explained her decision to vote against the removal in an interview with Channel 1.

"I follow my conscience. I go according to the paths I choose to follow," She said, adding she will remain in the government and continue to pursue reforms necessary.

The settlements to be evacuated first are Netzarim, southwest of Gaza City, Kfar Darom in central Gaza, and Morag in the south.

A vote on the second group of settlements to be evacuated was expected about a week later.

Source: Xinhua