Palestinian Authority to take over settlements

Israeli troops cleared out the settlements of Atzmona, Katif and Slav on Sunday, the last remaining inhabited settlements in a sprawling cluster in southern Gaza known as Gush Katif.

‘‘I can declare the Gush Katif bloc empty of residents,’’ said Israeli Police spokesman Avi Zelba.

Troops also entered Elei Sinai and Nissanit in North Gaza to extract a few families who stayed past the August 16 deadline. The Army was to go into the remote central enclave of Netzarim on Monday, finishing its shutdown of all 21 Gaza settlements.

It intends to remove two of 120 settlements in the West Bank later this week, wrapping up a limited ‘Disengagement Plan’, but faces violent resistance there from radical Jewish newcomers.

With Palestinian agreement, Israeli forces began demolishing housing in four of the vacant settlements but will leave intact public buildings such as schools and community centres.

‘‘It is with great difficulty that we must continue and go forth together,’’ Rabbi Noah Vishonsky told his congregation in the settlement of Katif.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon bills the pullout as ‘‘disengagement’’ from conflict with the Palestinians and US-led mediators regard the move as a catalyst for reviving a Middle East peace process frozen since 2000.

Addressing Army evacuation squads at a camp on Sunday, Sharon said: ‘‘Truly, you have done something here that was unbearably difficult—very difficult for the residents, difficult for you, but essential for the State of Israel.’’

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas decreed that his administration would take over all Gaza settlements once the Israelis left. The pullout would not be complete until military forces are out too, expected in about another month. —Reuters

Israeli soldier injured

JERUSALEM: An Israeli soldier was wounded when Palestinians opened fire on an Army post in southern Gaza today, as Israel continued to dismantle Jewish settlements in the territory, an Army spokeswoman said. ‘‘An Israeli soldier was wounded by Palestinian fire on an Israeli post guarding Neve Dekalim,’’ she said. The soldier, who was lightly injured, was taken to hospital, she added.