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U.S. urges Israel not to seal the Gaza Strip

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Israel over the weekend not to seal off the Gaza Strip following its planned withdrawal from the area next month. Ms. Rice met with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas one day after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Speaking in the West Bank town of Ramallah, Ms. Rice said a well co-ordinated pullout could "re-energize" the peace process.

"We are committed to connectivity between Gaza and the West Bank and we are the U.S. Secretary of State said.

Palestinians complain that Israel has not offered assurances over access, including the free movement of goods and people, during the period of time in which the Gaza pullout or "disengagement" will take place.

Israel has voiced concerns that the pullout will be met by an increase in violence by Palestinian terrorists and is reluctant to comment on Palestinian concerns at the moment due to opposition within Israel to the plan as well as a desire to not give Palestinian terrorists a heads-up on where checkpoints will be, etc.