HAKEEM ABU SAMRA
Also, it wasn't a sudden decision, it was done months ago and they knew they had to leave. I think some behaved badly with the soldiers, it showed the bad side of the settlers.
If they behaved with their own soldiers that way, how do you think they were behaving with the Palestinian people?
As a human being I can understand. It's hard for a man or a woman to leave a place where they lived for years, where they have their memories. But on the other hand, they have to obey their government.
In Gaza City people responded in different ways as they watched the TV pictures. Some felt more strongly about it than others. Like many situations, we have some against the peace process and some for it.
I doubt that there is one Palestinian in Gaza who is against the withdrawal, but some people see it in a different way, because they are concerned Israel will still control certain aspects of life here.
I can understand and I share these feelings, but in general most were just happy to see the nightmare ending. People were calling each other from the north to the south, congratulating each other, especially those living near settlements or who had land inside them.
To the right of my house, a few kilometres from where I live, this morning they were destroying houses in the Nissanit settlement, close to the Erez checkpoint.
It is strange now, earlier we were watching the road the settlers used from Erez to Dugit, and now we see only army vehicles, no settlers' cars.
Before we lived a frightened life, especially at night, because the Israeli soldiers were just suspicious of everything. Anything moving they would open fire on with shells coming towards our houses and our fields.
Many people were injured at night and sometimes even during the day. But a month ago, we finally had a quiet night.
Now, we hope for more quiet.
"
From watching the news yesterday, I can understand it must be hard for these people to leave, but it was a decision taken by their government - a democratic government - so they have to accept it.
We also saw they had air balloons, which they use almost as watchtowers in the air, and a crane which took a caravan away from the settlement. They stopped before noon as it's Friday and the Sabbath.
Your comments:
Hakeem, the best words you said was you would welcome Israelis back to your land as guests. I hope and pray that peace will come over your country and people. I know the Palestinian people just want to live normal lives as do the people of Israel and I hope leaving Gaza starts it
Gregory Pastrana, NYC, US
This can either be the start of something great or the start of something terrible... both sides need to make it something great. Quit looking back and throwing blame and trying to figure out who caused the greater hurt and who made the worst offence. Peace can be found in the darkest of places and only two "peoples" can make it happen. Surprise the world and prove yourselves to be the worthy, humane and loving people we know you are.
Jenny, NC, USA
I as a black south African have been particularly elated at this phenomenon. We have always felt great pity and a sense of solidarity with the Palestinian experience of dispossession and denial of freedom of movement in a country that is also theirs. You shall recall that as black South Africans we went through a tumultuous history as we fought for the eradication of apartheid and its evil manifestations. I want to commend Mr Ariel Sharon for having displayed noble courage and a great sense of progressive thinking. It is through notable leaders like him that this world can after all not be a bad place to live in.
Vinki, Johannesburg, South Africa
This is an historic opportunity for the Palestinians to show the world that they are capable of democratic governance - I hope they take advantage of this opportunity - it will be the one true indication of whether or not peace between the Palestinians and Israelis is ever possible. The fact that murals are being painted in Gaza City implying that Gaza is only the beginning of the ultimate demise of greater Israel does not, I fear, bode well for this peace.
Jeff, Toronto, Canada
People have been forcibly evicted all over the world for all sorts of spurious reasons over the years - new motorways, airport extensions etc. etc. many have lived in their houses for much longer than 38 years - at least there is a valid reason for moving the settlers out of Gaza - that they should never have been there in the first place. The people I feel most sorry for are the Israeli police and army - all that wailing and weeping - over what? A forcible eviction of illegal occupiers - would they be weeping so much if they were being moved to make way for a new motorway? I doubt it.
Mark Tidmarsh, Brighton, England
I doubt if Mr Abu Samra will do any better without the Jewish settlements nearby. Will he have a job, because they disappeared? I predict that Gaza will move from "poor" to "poorer". The Palestinian leadership will continue to be corrupt and will become richer. The Israelis will no longer be able to be blamed for the overall population's poverty. If the Gaza Strip will become a drawing area for al-Qaeda and other Islamic terrorist groups the inhabitants will feel the wrath of the US and West.
Shachne, Jerusalem
Dear Hakeem, I'm sure you feel good these days that you see the dream of a lifetime being realised! I only pray that you always thing in this peaceful way and I hope that you get all the help need so that we can see Gaza as a tourist venue, a place where anyone can visit without being afraid. I also appreciate your approach that Israelis can come back and visit whenever they want. I hope this goes for other Jews who live in other places like I am. Make sure you develop the beachside because we in Greece have the same sea with you, the Mediterranean, and allow me to say that with a lot of changes and developments you can make Gaza an amazing place to visit, a true paradise on earth!
Tity, Athens, Greece
I feel immense happiness to see the Israeli settlers leave Gaza. For many years the Palestinian people have lived oppressed under the Israeli rule. Now that Gaza has been returned back to the Palestinian people I really hope to see peace and prosperity in the Middle East.
Faried, Curacao, Netherlands
^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~35~RS~)