Letter on evacuation procedures

Along with the expulsion order, the army has also distributed the following letter (PDF page 2) on evacuation procedures.

Southern Command Headquarters
Office of the Major General
2 Av 5765
8 August 2005

Residents of the Gaza District

Evacuation procedures during 15-15/8/2005 - Letter from the Chief of Staff of Southern Command

With the passing of the day of Tisha B'Av, on which the people of Israel mourn the destruction of its Temple, with hope and prayer for its reconstruction, out of faith that precisely out of the sorrow will sprout salvation and from among the ruins the desolation will bloom. On Sunday, Motzaei Tisha B'Av 5675, the Gaza Strip will be closed to the entry of Israeli citizens, and similarly traffic will not be permitted to the Gaza settlements and between them (the Gaza settlements will be closed and traffic between them will be controlled).

On the morning of 15/08/2005, security forces will arrive and hand you orders of evacuation from your homes.

To residents who choose to leave by 16/08/2005 at midnight, assistance will be given, as far as is possible, to ease the organizing and departure.

At your service you will have the option to request assistance in packing your homes and public (not commercial) property, with the aid of soldiers and packing companies.

Those choosing to leave at the phase of consensual evacuation can leave with their private cars. Similarly, those choosing to leave at the phase of consensual evacuation can choose the way they take leave of their homes (ceremony, etc.).

Property which is packed in the homes before 15/08/2005 and during 15-16/08/2005 shall be concentrated in the middle of the rooms. The IDF will make an effort to remove all personal private property (not commercial) regardless of the quantity of containers and trucks required. For that you will be charged no more than the amount of the grant for relocation and organizational expenses given you by the Law for Implementation of the Disengagement Plan 5765/2005,

During the packing of the homes and the loading of their contents into the containers, heads of household may enter and assist in the packing and loading.


From 17/08/2005 and on, security forces will arrive at the settlement to evacuate the residents remaining there. After that, their property will be packed by a packing company up to only 2 containers.

For residents who leave after 17/08/2005, no opportunity will be given to return to their homes and assist in packing, and in accordance with the Law for Implementation of the Disengagement Plan they will lose a significant part of their economic rights.

For further details contact....

With great respect,

Guy Tzur, Brigadier General
Chief of Staff of Southern Command