Army move against Gaza hardliners

Police ended weeks of defiance by the activists occupying the hotel

Israeli soldiers have stormed a former hotel in the southern Gaza Strip, to remove about 150 Jewish activists opposed to the Gaza pullout plan.

The activists - mainly from West Bank settlements - had barricaded themselves inside the Palm Beach hotel for weeks.

The raid follows recent clashes between right-wingers and troops in Gaza.

Earlier on Thursday, the army declared Gaza settlements a "closed military zone" to prevent the influx of non-resident activists.

About 600 Israeli troops raided the derelict Palm Beach hotel, where activists had been stockpiling food and weapons.

The soldiers in riot gear went from room to room to remove those inside.

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Some left peacefully when asked, while others were dragged out by their arms and legs. There was no violent resistance.

The evacuation came after days of rising tension between right-wing activists and Israeli security forces in the area.

The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says the territory's southern settlements have seen an influx of ultra-nationalists preparing to confront the army.

On Wednesday, some activists were filmed storming a house in the nearby village of Muasi and beating a Palestinian boy unconscious.

The incident has sparked outrage in Israel.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called it "an act of savagery, vulgarity and irresponsibility".

"Every measure must be taken to end this rampaging," Mr Sharon added.

'Provocation'

Settler leaders also condemned the incident, saying the youths were from a violent fringe group.

"There is no connection between Judaism and those who carried out this," said Shaul Yahalom of the National Religious Party.

In the past day there has been another serious escalation of extremist activity Israeli army statement

Wednesday saw a number of clashes in the Gaza Strip, as security forces fought with settlers who had barricaded themselves inside buildings.

On Thursday morning, the army announced it was temporarily sealing off the settlements, preventing outsiders from entering.

"In the past day there has been another serious escalation of extremist activity," the statement said.

"There is intelligence information that more extremist groups are moving toward the Gaza Strip with the intention of strengthening their friends and to escalate the provocative acts."

Some Gaza residents protested against the decision.

"Why are they disturbing our daily life? This is totally senseless," Debbie Rosen, a resident of the Neve Dekalim settlement, told Israel Radio.