A wary calm reigns on the Gaza Strip. In the city and refugee camp of Khan Younis, Palestinians eagerly wait the departure of the neighboring Israeli settlers. But many diehard settlers refuse to leave and promise to sabotage prime minister Ariel Sharon’s disengagement plan.
Dateline: Khan Younis, Gaza Strip
The streets of Khan Younis are calm, but the threat of war is always close on the frontline between the refugee camp and the Israeli settlement. During the four years of the Intifada, Abu Anwar Ghaly has been running his garage within shooting range of the nearby Israeli watchtower.
The calmness makes him hope that more clients will dare come to his garage. Many clients would before not go this close to the frontline.
.
Abu An war Ghaly
Garage owner
Soundbite – Arabic
We wish that the best things would happen in the next period. We want to live in happiness, without any fear and with freedom of movement. I hope it would be good for the economy and that people can work in a better way,
He has owned this garage for last 8 years. The recent calmness and the pledges from both side to keep it, makes him think that finally there is hope. But as most Gazans, Abu is cautiously optimistic about the calmness. He has been living in constant mortal danger for so long and knows the calmness is fragile.
The situation could deteriorate. We are in a test period. We hope that the situation will get better. It’s like a pregnant woman who is waiting for a baby, maybe it’s very good, but sometimes she loses baby in the end
The Israeli army has often attacked the camp to prevent militants from attacking the Gush Katif settlements with their mortars. The last Israeli incursion here happened in December. Several houses were destroyed and the local market was left in shatters. Some inhabitants have moved back to their exposed homes.
Aged - 16 years old
Soundbite – Arabic
The Israeli tanks went down the hill and they entered the area from the street behind. They started to destroy a house and the fence of the next house. Then they continued to destroy the next houses then come back to destroy the market.
The children in the area say they feel safer now, but they don’t feel completely out of danger yet.
Some Israelis soldiers are still shooting.
An eerie quietness reigns on their playground¨. The militant groups on the Gaza Strip say they will keep the calm, for now.
Sami Abu Zohri
Spokesperson, Hamas
Soundbite – Arabic
The situation is depending on Israel, how Israeli response would be to the calmness and how Israel meets the demands and the conditions of the Palestinian parties, especially free prisoners.
Nor Islamic Jihad is satisfied with what they have seen on the ground. But they say they still will work with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas
Nafiz Azzam
Spokesperson, Islamic Jihad
Soundbite – Arabic
We did not talk about a specific period to keep the calmness when we met the president Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) and the Egyptian delegate. But Israel must show good intentions through real steps.
The only serious break of the calmness has been the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv (Friday 11th of March). A Damascus branch of Islamic Jihad said they were responsible, but this is still being denied in Gaza
Shortly stated, we said that the Islamic jihad movement is committed to the calmness and it has no information about this operation. And this is clear
In Khan Younis as in other parts of the Gaza Strip, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have gained legitimacy in their fight against the Israeli forces the last four years. The Israelis regard them as terrorists, most Gazans as resistance fighters and heroes. Many people have scarified their lives during the Intifada. The people are tired of war but have not yet seen the benefit of calmness.
Marwan Rashwan
Soundbite – Arabic
Situation is bad. And now we are working all the day earning only 20 shekels. Before I was working in Israel and that was good for me. Israel is still closed and the situation difficult
Hamas` strong engagement in social welfare activities and charity has given them a very strong position on the poor and underdeveloped Gaza Strip. Recently Hamas won a landslide victory in municipal elections and the movement is very confident.
Sami Abu Zohri
Spokesperson, Hamas
Soundbite – Arabic
We are not worried about anything. We know we are on the American terror list but the latest election results showed that Hamas is representing a big part of Palestinian society. And this means that whoever is hostile against Hamas is be the enemy of the Palestinian people
Hamas say it is too early to judge Mahmoud Abbas´ actions, but notes that he has big internal problems. Hamas will participate in future elections and says there is no contradiction between military resistance and politics. They see the announced unilateral Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as their victory.
The Israeli expected withdrawal is a fruit of the resistance. It came to decrease the resistance pressure on Israeli occupation army. Because of that it is a victory for the Palestinian resistance and Hamas movement
The withdrawal of the Gaza-settlements will give some breathing space to the tightly packed Palestinians on the Gaza-strip. They also hope that the calmness will give some freedom of movement. For the moment, the Israeli army controls all exits, whether it is by land or by sea. The fishermen on Gaza stay mostly close to the shore to avoid attention from the Israeli navy patrolling its cost. The economy has suffered badly during the last years and now many survive on the help they can get from outside.
But even though the fishermen can’t go far, the sea still offers both food and some income for those of know were to look.
And for children, a beach is still a beach, even on the chilly east Mediterranean coastline
Dateline: Gush Katif Settlement, Gaza Strip.
A few kilometers away, the Gazan shore is seen from another perspective.
Moshe Saperstein
Settler, Gush Katif
Soundbite-English
But since the Israeli governement decided to dismantle the settlement, the view has changed for the settlers.
For Moshe, this may be the last spring in a home he feels he has fought for. He lost his arm in the Yom Kippur war and almost his hand in a terrorist attack on the road a few years ago. The Palestinian militants have also attacked the settlement by mortars. He has collected hard evidence.
New Soundbite - Saperstein- english
Having endured this, he is convinced that his home will be saved once more.
New Soundbite - Saperstein- english
Originally from New York, Moshe lives in Gush Katif with his wife. They have lived in Israel for 37 years, the last eight of them in the settlement. He feels stabbed in the back by his own government, but his religious faith is firm.
New Soundbite - Saperstein- english
It is uncertain how many of the settlers that will fight to the bitter end. Around 8000 settlers live in the Gush Katif settlements. There are no visible signs of change; no one seems openly to be preparing to move in the coming months. Some resist passively by doing nothing, others organize themselves.
That soldiers might have to force Jews out of their home is troubling not only for Gush Katif residents, another problem is the graveyard. Highly protected, very close to Palestinian lands, lies the graveyard. The 46 occupants of this graveyard have to be dug up and evicted, among them is Rebecca Winters husband, dead 10 years ago.
Rebecca Winter
Soundbite Hebrew
It is hard to imagine (him being dug up), it doesn’t matter how much I prepare myself. I don’t how it is going to be
She will not leave her husbands grave in the custody of the Palestinians
Rebecca Winter
Soundbite hewbrew
If I am not here, this grave is not going to be here
The plan for exhumation is not only emotionally sensitive for remaining relatives, it is also very difficult from a religious point of view. It is forbidden except in the most extraordinary circumstances. The army rabbis will deal with the three soldiers buried here, but the local religious authorities don’t know what will happen with the rest.
Eliezer Orbach
Caretaker of the cemetery
Soundbite-hebrew
The mourners will not have to sit the traditional seven days, (shiva) they will have to sit one day. And they have to rip their clothes. But the tradition does see digging out graves as a very wrong thing to do, it is violating the honor of the dead
How to organize the removal of the graveyard is one of the biggest challenges facing prime minister Ariel Sharon. And his opponents on the right wing are determined to continue the battle.
Yisrael Medad
Spokesperson, Yesha Council
English
The settler organization plans to deploy 100 000 settlers on the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank
Yisrael Medad
English
There is concern in the settler organization of the wide international support Sharon has gained for his disengagement plan
Yisrael Medad
English
Ariel Sharon did not choose to pull out the Gaza settlements by coincidence. The Israeli opinion is backing his disengagement plan. Various polls indicate that around 2/3 supports the pull out from Gaza. But one thing is having support from voters in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv; another thing is to start physically removing Jews from their suburban-like homes in Gush Katif. The diehard settlers don’t care about opinion polls or what others might think. They want to stay in their ultra-protected version of paradise for generations to come.
Moshe Saperstein
Settler, Gush Katif
English
This is paradise,it is simply paradise. I'm sorry its not a clear day. If it were rearly a clear day you could see Venezuela.
When we talk about. When we talk about missiles, when we talk about, morters, these are not abstract terms.
The fact that we have survived here under constant bombardment for 4 and a half years without any rational explaination, other than devine intervention, makes me believe
that we will continue to have devine intervention, we will not be driven out of here, we intend to remain.
I have been here 29 years and I love Jerusalaem, I have been left for dead twice already, I was covered in bandages. You may consider us religious fanatics if you like, but we believe we are here because God commands us to be here, to settle the land, and if you tell me about United Nations resolution,this,that,or the other, the Bible is somewhat older than the United Nations, and for me at least, the bible is far more valid, and a justification for our being here, than some line drawn in 1947 in the united nations.
Lady in Cemetry: visiting loved one's grave.
Soundbite – Arabic
Man talking......
Soundbite – Arabic
Reporter:
Well further actions of course will both be political. In other words we are trying withinlycould to try and force an element of national referendem.
Secondly there's the budget coming up.
The Government could fall if the budget is not authorised by the end of March, those two are open possibilities, and we continue to plan for the showdown which will be in the Gaza Strip some time during June and July.
Well, we hope to be able to gain experience from Civil
disobeidience demonstrations all across the globe, we're studying Globalisations demonstrations that were in Seattle Washington. We're studying the film Ghandi,we're doing all sorts of possibilities. The problems of course is getting a good disaplined unit with marshalls and proper demonstration techniques. It's difficult in Israel because of
the ecconomic and social welfare demonstrations, things sometimes get out of hand.
We do not plan for violence, we are giving instructions to refrain from any sort of violence, despite what we think is insightment coming out of the Prime Ministers office in order to heat up the atmosphear, this is very unhealthy.
Several people should have immediately been set off to Washington to work on Congress, especially among the right wing the conservetors and the christian rights.
Girl at Bus stop on mobile phone:
Children playing in park:
Soundbite English:
If we stand up to an arvictorious, we will have stood up to and been victorious against the entire world. Including that part of the world which we would have expected to support us. I refer to the Government of Israel, many people.
Dateline: Khan Younis, Gaza Strip
The streets of Khan Younis are calm, but the threat of war is always close on the frontline between the refugee camp and the Israeli settlement. During the four years of the Intifada, Abu Anwar Ghaly has been running his garage within shooting range of the nearby Israeli watchtower.
The calmness makes him hope that more clients will dare come to his garage. Many clients would before not go this close to the frontline.
.
Abu An war Ghaly
Garage owner
Soundbite – Arabic
We wish that the best things would happen in the next period. We want to live in happiness, without any fear and with freedom of movement. I hope it would be good for the economy and that people can work in a better way,
He has owned this garage for last 8 years. The recent calmness and the pledges from both side to keep it, makes him think that finally there is hope. But as most Gazans, Abu is cautiously optimistic about the calmness. He has been living in constant mortal danger for so long and knows the calmness is fragile.
The situation could deteriorate. We are in a test period. We hope that the situation will get better. It’s like a pregnant woman who is waiting for a baby, maybe it’s very good, but sometimes she loses baby in the end
The Israeli army has often attacked the camp to prevent militants from attacking the Gush Katif settlements with their mortars. The last Israeli incursion here happened in December. Several houses were destroyed and the local market was left in shatters. Some inhabitants have moved back to their exposed homes.
Aged - 16 years old
Soundbite – Arabic
The Israeli tanks went down the hill and they entered the area from the street behind. They started to destroy a house and the fence of the next house. Then they continued to destroy the next houses then come back to destroy the market.
The children in the area say they feel safer now, but they don’t feel completely out of danger yet.
Some Israelis soldiers are still shooting.
An eerie quietness reigns on their playground¨. The militant groups on the Gaza Strip say they will keep the calm, for now.
Sami Abu Zohri
Spokesperson, Hamas
Soundbite – Arabic
The situation is depending on Israel, how Israeli response would be to the calmness and how Israel meets the demands and the conditions of the Palestinian parties, especially free prisoners.
Nor Islamic Jihad is satisfied with what they have seen on the ground. But they say they still will work with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas
Nafiz Azzam
Spokesperson, Islamic Jihad
Soundbite – Arabic
We did not talk about a specific period to keep the calmness when we met the president Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) and the Egyptian delegate. But Israel must show good intentions through real steps.
The only serious break of the calmness has been the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv (Friday 11th of March). A Damascus branch of Islamic Jihad said they were responsible, but this is still being denied in Gaza
Shortly stated, we said that the Islamic jihad movement is committed to the calmness and it has no information about this operation. And this is clear
In Khan Younis as in other parts of the Gaza Strip, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have gained legitimacy in their fight against the Israeli forces the last four years. The Israelis regard them as terrorists, most Gazans as resistance fighters and heroes. Many people have scarified their lives during the Intifada. The people are tired of war but have not yet seen the benefit of calmness.
Marwan Rashwan
Soundbite – Arabic
Situation is bad. And now we are working all the day earning only 20 shekels. Before I was working in Israel and that was good for me. Israel is still closed and the situation difficult
Hamas` strong engagement in social welfare activities and charity has given them a very strong position on the poor and underdeveloped Gaza Strip. Recently Hamas won a landslide victory in municipal elections and the movement is very confident.
Sami Abu Zohri
Spokesperson, Hamas
Soundbite – Arabic
We are not worried about anything. We know we are on the American terror list but the latest election results showed that Hamas is representing a big part of Palestinian society. And this means that whoever is hostile against Hamas is be the enemy of the Palestinian people
Hamas say it is too early to judge Mahmoud Abbas´ actions, but notes that he has big internal problems. Hamas will participate in future elections and says there is no contradiction between military resistance and politics. They see the announced unilateral Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as their victory.
The Israeli expected withdrawal is a fruit of the resistance. It came to decrease the resistance pressure on Israeli occupation army. Because of that it is a victory for the Palestinian resistance and Hamas movement
The withdrawal of the Gaza-settlements will give some breathing space to the tightly packed Palestinians on the Gaza-strip. They also hope that the calmness will give some freedom of movement. For the moment, the Israeli army controls all exits, whether it is by land or by sea. The fishermen on Gaza stay mostly close to the shore to avoid attention from the Israeli navy patrolling its cost. The economy has suffered badly during the last years and now many survive on the help they can get from outside.
But even though the fishermen can’t go far, the sea still offers both food and some income for those of know were to look.
And for children, a beach is still a beach, even on the chilly east Mediterranean coastline
Dateline: Gush Katif Settlement, Gaza Strip.
A few kilometers away, the Gazan shore is seen from another perspective.
Moshe Saperstein
Settler, Gush Katif
Soundbite-English
But since the Israeli governement decided to dismantle the settlement, the view has changed for the settlers.
For Moshe, this may be the last spring in a home he feels he has fought for. He lost his arm in the Yom Kippur war and almost his hand in a terrorist attack on the road a few years ago. The Palestinian militants have also attacked the settlement by mortars. He has collected hard evidence.
New Soundbite - Saperstein- english
Having endured this, he is convinced that his home will be saved once more.
New Soundbite - Saperstein- english
Originally from New York, Moshe lives in Gush Katif with his wife. They have lived in Israel for 37 years, the last eight of them in the settlement. He feels stabbed in the back by his own government, but his religious faith is firm.
New Soundbite - Saperstein- english
It is uncertain how many of the settlers that will fight to the bitter end. Around 8000 settlers live in the Gush Katif settlements. There are no visible signs of change; no one seems openly to be preparing to move in the coming months. Some resist passively by doing nothing, others organize themselves.
That soldiers might have to force Jews out of their home is troubling not only for Gush Katif residents, another problem is the graveyard. Highly protected, very close to Palestinian lands, lies the graveyard. The 46 occupants of this graveyard have to be dug up and evicted, among them is Rebecca Winters husband, dead 10 years ago.
Rebecca Winter
Soundbite Hebrew
It is hard to imagine (him being dug up), it doesn’t matter how much I prepare myself. I don’t how it is going to be
She will not leave her husbands grave in the custody of the Palestinians
Rebecca Winter
Soundbite hewbrew
If I am not here, this grave is not going to be here
The plan for exhumation is not only emotionally sensitive for remaining relatives, it is also very difficult from a religious point of view. It is forbidden except in the most extraordinary circumstances. The army rabbis will deal with the three soldiers buried here, but the local religious authorities don’t know what will happen with the rest.
Eliezer Orbach
Caretaker of the cemetery
Soundbite-hebrew
The mourners will not have to sit the traditional seven days, (shiva) they will have to sit one day. And they have to rip their clothes. But the tradition does see digging out graves as a very wrong thing to do, it is violating the honor of the dead
How to organize the removal of the graveyard is one of the biggest challenges facing prime minister Ariel Sharon. And his opponents on the right wing are determined to continue the battle.
Yisrael Medad
Spokesperson, Yesha Council
English
The settler organization plans to deploy 100 000 settlers on the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank
Yisrael Medad
English
There is concern in the settler organization of the wide international support Sharon has gained for his disengagement plan
Yisrael Medad
English
Ariel Sharon did not choose to pull out the Gaza settlements by coincidence. The Israeli opinion is backing his disengagement plan. Various polls indicate that around 2/3 supports the pull out from Gaza. But one thing is having support from voters in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv; another thing is to start physically removing Jews from their suburban-like homes in Gush Katif. The diehard settlers don’t care about opinion polls or what others might think. They want to stay in their ultra-protected version of paradise for generations to come.
Moshe Saperstein
Settler, Gush Katif
English
This is paradise,it is simply paradise. I'm sorry its not a clear day. If it were rearly a clear day you could see Venezuela.
When we talk about. When we talk about missiles, when we talk about, morters, these are not abstract terms.
The fact that we have survived here under constant bombardment for 4 and a half years without any rational explaination, other than devine intervention, makes me believe
that we will continue to have devine intervention, we will not be driven out of here, we intend to remain.
I have been here 29 years and I love Jerusalaem, I have been left for dead twice already, I was covered in bandages. You may consider us religious fanatics if you like, but we believe we are here because God commands us to be here, to settle the land, and if you tell me about United Nations resolution,this,that,or the other, the Bible is somewhat older than the United Nations, and for me at least, the bible is far more valid, and a justification for our being here, than some line drawn in 1947 in the united nations.
Lady in Cemetry: visiting loved one's grave.
Soundbite – Arabic
Man talking......
Soundbite – Arabic
Reporter:
Well further actions of course will both be political. In other words we are trying withinlycould to try and force an element of national referendem.
Secondly there's the budget coming up.
The Government could fall if the budget is not authorised by the end of March, those two are open possibilities, and we continue to plan for the showdown which will be in the Gaza Strip some time during June and July.
Well, we hope to be able to gain experience from Civil
disobeidience demonstrations all across the globe, we're studying Globalisations demonstrations that were in Seattle Washington. We're studying the film Ghandi,we're doing all sorts of possibilities. The problems of course is getting a good disaplined unit with marshalls and proper demonstration techniques. It's difficult in Israel because of
the ecconomic and social welfare demonstrations, things sometimes get out of hand.
We do not plan for violence, we are giving instructions to refrain from any sort of violence, despite what we think is insightment coming out of the Prime Ministers office in order to heat up the atmosphear, this is very unhealthy.
Several people should have immediately been set off to Washington to work on Congress, especially among the right wing the conservetors and the christian rights.
Girl at Bus stop on mobile phone:
Children playing in park:
Soundbite English:
If we stand up to an arvictorious, we will have stood up to and been victorious against the entire world. Including that part of the world which we would have expected to support us. I refer to the Government of Israel, many people.