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Gaza Strip Sealed Off by Israel

In an effort to stem the potential tide of right-wing supporters and settlers who may try to enter the Gaza Strip to disrupt Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon`s disengagement plan, the Israeli government on Wednesday afternoon announced that the Gaza Strip is now a closed military zone for Israelis and only those with special permits or who are residents may enter the area.

The Israeli army is well aware of the expected questions and predicaments which will be raised by Israelis over the declaration of the zone and established a special permit center at a military base near the town of Ofakim, Israel on Wednesday. It will be manned by female telephone operators seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Israeli residents of the Gaza Strip who may wish to invite friends or family to their homes or for celebrations for any reason will now be required to call the special permit center and file an official request with the operators on their guests` behalf. They are supposed to be able to receive a yes-or-no answer within eight hours after filing the request.

The Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip is scheduled to begin mid-August.