Israeli settlers 'face turmoil'

Well-established settlements may be threatened as well as outposts

Tens of thousands of settlers may have to move if Israel carries out a plan to "disengage" from the Palestinians, a senior Israeli minister has warned.

Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned of the anguish and confrontation that such a step could cause.

Israel has said it may dismantle settler outposts and speed up work on a barrier to separate Israel from the Palestinian territories.

Many of the 220,000 settlers are angry about the government plan.

US and Palestinian leaders have also criticised the prospect of unilateral action by Israel.

In continuing violence in the Palestinian territories, a five or six year-old boy was shot dead when Israeli soldiers opened fire at stone throwers at the Balata refugee camp in the West Bank, Palestinian witnesses said.

Reports of the death came hours after Israeli troops arrested a spokesman for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Adnan Asfour, following raids on the West Bank town of Nablus.

'Serious protest'

The comments by Mr Olmert were his first since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's policy speech on Thursday announcing that Israel was prepared to take the initiative if the Palestinians failed to begin disbanding militant groups as required under the "roadmap" peace process.

ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS 220,000 settlers in the West Bank and Gaza 130 settlements authorised by Israeli Governments Approximately 100 un-authorised settlements, 60 built during Sharon government Israel spends about $500m on settlements annually - excluding security Sources: Peace Now and Haaretz newspaper Warning of unilateral moves Maps: West Bank settlements

Speaking to journalists at the Foreign Press Association, Mr Olmert was not ready to go into the specific numbers involved in any relocation from settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

"It is certainly a lot more than in the thousands. It's probably in the tens of thousands," he said.

"There will be a serious protest and I do not take it lightly. I have no doubt that it will be a difficult and heartbreaking process.

"I expect it will be very emotional and confrontational."

The prospect of unilateral Israeli action has been criticised by US and Palestinian leaders, who say a lasting solution can only be achieved by a negotiated settlement.

Pressure on peace moves

The events in Nablus come a day before Egypt's foreign minister is expected in Israel for talks with Mr Sharon and other Israeli leaders.

Ahmed Maher will be the first Egyptian foreign minister to visit the country since the start of the current Palestinian uprising in 2000.

His visit is part of international efforts to get the US-led "roadmap" process back on track.

It is unclear if he will also have talks with Palestinian leaders.