Israeli minister says Gaza settlements part of Israel

By Zain Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) – An Israeli minister said Wednesday that the evacuated settlements in the Gaza Strip are part of Israel.

In 2005, former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon evacuated Israeli settlements in Gaza along with four settlements in the northern West Bank as part of his plan for disengagement from the territory.

But Israeli Minister of National Missions Orit Strock told Channel 7 that Tel Aviv will return to these settlements one day.

"I believe that, at the end of the day, the sin of the disengagement will be reversed,” Strock said.

"Sadly, a return to the Gaza Strip will involve many casualties, just as the departure from the Gaza Strip came with many casualties. But ultimately, it is part of the Land of Israel, and a day will come when we will return to it." she added.

On Tuesday, the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) passed a bill to allow Israeli settlers to resettle in four evacuated settlements in the northern West Bank.

Estimates indicate about 650,000 settlers are living in 164 settlements and 116 outposts in the occupied West Bank.

Under international law, all Jewish settlements in the occupied territories are considered illegal.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar