Israeli VIPs, including rabbinic authorities, plan to serve as human shields in an effort by tens of thousands of protesters to breach a massive force of police officers and soldiers blocking their way to Gaza, sources told WorldNetDaily.
The protest aims to halt next month's evacuation of Jewish communities from Gaza and parts of the West Bank.
With about 20,000 security forces still blocking the protesters, it was unclear throughout the day if the march to Gush Katif, the main slate of Gaza's Jewish communities, would go ahead as planned.
This afternoon, the estimated crowd of 50,000 camped at Kfar Meimon – a small farm community about 15 miles south of the entrance to the Jewish communities in Gaza – appeared to be down by about half.
But that's because able-bodied protesters from age 15 to 30 are being mobilized at another location to spearhead a breach of the security line that would allow the rest to march to Gaza.
Marchers camping out in Kfar Meimon (WND photo) |
Police have vowed to use all force necessary to detain the crowds and prevent them from marching further.
Leaders of the march and other participants, however, are confident they will break through and reach Gush Katif.
In spite of almost 48 hours enduring extreme heat and accommodations, the crowds are as defiant as ever and the mood is festive, with singing and prayer services throughout the day.
The protesters say they are ready and willing to march to the next camping site, Ra'im, 12 miles south of Gaza.
Monday, protesters streamed into Nativot, a town about 20 miles south of Gaza, holding a massive rally that completely filled a dirt field police estimate could hold some 40,000 people. An adjacent field that could hold about 30,000 was nearly filled, and a line of protesters could be seen walking to the rally from a quarter-mile away.
After the rally ended, the majority marched down Highway 25 toward Gush Katif.
After breaking through a large human chain of officers and soldiers Monday night, the protesters marched to Kfar Meimon. Many brought sleeping bags, sheets and pillows and slept in grassy fields.
Soldiers blockade marchers in Kfar Meimon (WND photo) |
Yesterday morning, the massive group found themselves completely surrounded by security forces pledging to halt the march. Police entered Kfar Meimon and announced on loudspeakers buses had been brought in to take home protesters wishing to leave. No one budged.
Instead, about 2,000 more protesters made it past heavy roadblocks, many traveling by foot, and joined the besieged masses, who pledged to march on.
Police told media they estimate the crowd to be 20,000, but march leaders say it is closer to 80,000. Indeed, a tour of Kfar Maimon puts the numbers closer to the leaders' estimates.
This afternoon, rallies were held at which anti-withdrawal leaders spoke. Many groups studied the Torah and broke into hundreds of quorums to recite morning and afternoon prayers. The mood was festive. Some protesters sand songs and danced. Kids played on neighborhood playgrounds.
There were reports police were denying entry to the area of food or water trucks, but dozens of large water tanks were indeed situated inside and protesters were provided with ample food.
Many Meimon residents gave out fruits and vegetables.
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