NEVE DEKALIM, Gaza – Several empty moving trucks have been driving around Gaza's Gush Katif slate of Jewish communities today and parking outside homes even though the occupants are not moving.
Residents here are accusing the military of attempting to make it appear as if they are leaving, while the army claims it's just trying to help.
Advertisement - story continues below
The trucks, tugging large containers, have been wandering in and out of Katif's communities since the morning.
Residents of some towns, including Neve Dekalim, the largest Katif neighborhood, temporarily blockaded community entrances to keep out moving vans and military vehicles.
TRENDING: 'Situation is completely unstable:' Crenshaw tours border, exposes how bad it really is
![]() Moving trucks enter Neve Dekalim (photo: WND) |
Advertisement - story continues below
Residents here have until tomorrow evening to depart on their own accord, or the army and police will attempt to remove them forcibly.
According to Debbie Roson, a senior Katif spokeswoman, as of today, most communities still are full. She said there were isolated settlements, such as Rafiah Yam on the Egyptian border, that opted several months ago for Israeli government relocation programs.
A few residents have departed from some of the smaller farming communities the past 24 hours, Rosen said, but most of the larger communities, including Dekalim, are almost entirely full. Some neighborhoods are overpopulated with thousands of protesters here to try to halt the evacuation.
Still, dozens of moving trucks could be seen today parked outside homes and meandering around neighborhoods. In Dekalim, a line of trucks were parked at the community entrance for several hours and then dispersed alongside private homes.
The drivers told WND they were contracted by the army to remain inside Katif today and tomorrow. Several drivers opened the hatches on their trucks to show the insides were empty.
Advertisement - story continues below
Residents accused the army of engaging in psychological warfare and of trying to bait journalists into reporting Katif communities were leaving.
"Do you see people moving their belongings into trucks anywhere?" asked Dekalim resident Ruth Stein. "It's all for the cameras."
Katif resident Eitan Hader said, "It's meant to look really discouraging. It makes others think their neighbors are moving out even though they aren't."
A spokesman for the Southern District Command, the police unit overseeing the withdrawal, said the trucks have been made available in case residents needed them. He said they were not meant to create any sort of impression.
Advertisement - story continues below
But Dekalim resident Miriam Shar said she doesn't believe it.
"Since when has the government helped us?" she asked. "They have been taking all measures to actually make our lives bad. These trucks aren't here for help. It's psychological warfare pure and simple."
Previous stories:
PA claims 'smooth transition' despite violence
Advertisement - story continues below
On Jews' 'darkest day,' expulsion set to begin
Hague to protect Jewish Gaza during evac?
Arab officer sneaks Americans into Gaza
Security forces block Israeli march to Gaza
Advertisement - story continues below
50,000 to march to Jewish Gaza
Great-grandmother of Jewish Gaza packs her bags
Hamas fires rocket toward Israeli multitudes
Israeli police plotting 'undemocratic measures'
Advertisement - story continues below
Sharon targeted with 'death curse'
No phone, no light, not a single luxury
Gaza evac 'disastrous military move'
Israeli march to Gaza called off
Advertisement - story continues below
Palestinians: Gaza evacuation bad for us
Israeli multitudes breach police lines
100,000 Israelis march to Gaza
Advertisement - story continues below
Israel bars media from covering Gaza evac
100,000 Israelis march to Gaza