Army Preparations

The pullout is expected to be less violent than some have predicted. However, standing orders call for soldiers to use minimum necessary force to neutralize any life-threatening danger that may occur.

Soldiers guard an outpost (AP)

Because the pullout timetable has been shortened from 12 to three weeks, additional soldiers will be involved. The Ga'ash Division, headed by Brig.-Gen. Gershon Hacohen, will assist the police and be responsible for both cutting off water and power and demolishing emptied buildings. They will remain in place until the IDF pulls out of Gaza entirely.

A third division, headed by Brig.-Gen. Uzi Moskovitz, and made up of cadets, reservists, servicemen, warrant officers, and officers from the ranks of the permanent army will also be on hand if needed to implement the disengagement.

Reservists are being called up to relieve a large chunk of the standing army borders and in the West Bank, freeing them to take part in the disengagement.

An IDF Armored Personal Carrier in Gaza (AP)

In the Gaza Strip, three or four settlements will be evacuated at a time. All work will be halted for Shabbat. It has yet to be decided whether, once inhabitants are removed, the houses will be demolished or not.

The West Bank evacuations of Sa-Nur, Ganim, Kadim, and Homesh will operate much like the Gaza evacuations. Police will perform the physical evacuation of the settlers, assisted by two army divisions. The 'Plada' Division, commanded by Brig.-Gen. Tal Russo, will help police by occupying the settlements until they are handed over. The Judea and Samaria Division will secure the perimeter and prevent attacks.

Compiled by Arieh O’Sullivan and JPost.com Staff