Police chief: We will act with sensitivity during Gaza pullout

Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi visited Gush Katif on Wednesday and told settlers that officers will implement the disengagement plan with sensitivity. He said police will display understanding of the personal distress faced by the departing settlers and added that the force allow Gush Katif residents to protest within the bounds of the law.

During his visit to Neveh Dekalim, Karadi said he believes the Gush Katif population in the southern Gaza Strip is law-abiding.

"It is important that we go through this process together," he said.

At the conclusion of his meeting with Gush Katif representatives, Karadi noted that the goal of his visit was to hear about "the distress and the pain of Gush residents."

Gaza Coast Regional Council chair Avner Shimoni said "harsh words" were exchanged during the meeting.

Residents told Karadi about recent police arrests of Gush Katif youth and about alleged police attempts to recruit local minors as police informants.

IDF moving equipment out of GazaThe Israel Defense Forces began moving equipment out of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday ahead of the implementation of the disengagement plan this summer.

A military spokesman said rougly 20 containers loaded with office furniture, computers and uniforms were being transferred from an army base in the Gush Katif settlement bloc to a military base across the fenced boundary with Israel.

"This morning we began moving several containers with logistical equipment," the army said.

The base in the Neveh Dekalim settlement is home to the army's Southern Brigade, and will be left in place until after all settlers have been evacuated from Gaza, the army said.

"We are already preparing, so everything won't be last minute during the planned withdrawal," a military official said on customary condition of anonymity.

Nonessential equipment will be gradually moved out in the coming months. Senior IDF officers said that this will be done "without endangering the residents' safety." Caravans used to house soldiers that are currently not in use will be removed, and the number of camps will be reduced.

	A containing of IDF equipment being removed from an army base in Gaza on Wednesday. (Limor Edrey)