On a tour of the northern Negev on Tuesday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the government was committed to resettling evacuees from the Gaza Strip in the Lachish region.

"The vision of resettling the Gush Katif evacuees in the Lachish area is from now on the Israeli government's vision," he said.

Interior Minister Roni Bar-On (Kadima), who joined Olmert on the tour, said that the process of approving the new communities could be completed within five months.

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Government officials who participated in the tour harshly criticized the state's foot-dragging in approving the plans for the communities and commencing construction.

Housing Ministry CEO Arieh Bar told Olmert: "I have harsh things to say to you. Our hands are being tied. We need fast decisions."

Construction and Housing Minister Meir Sheetrit said, "There is no justification for this foot-dragging. With all due respect, this is not the way to work - this could all be approved overnight."

Disengagement Administration head Zvia Shimon said: "Unfortunately, we are behind. Alongside construction we need to find solutions for employment, education and welfare."

The Gush Katif communities committee and representatives of evacuee organization who escorted Olmert on his tour voiced hopes that Olmert's comments are not blank statements and that the state truly intends to implement plans in order to begin construction on permanent communities.