| Israel has approved plans for a rapid withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank. Officials said Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has endorsed a plan that calls for a military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank and the expulsion of their 10,000 Israeli residents in as little as three weeks. They said Mofaz decided that the withdrawal must be implemented as quickly as possible to avoid Palestinian attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians. "We want to minimize the time for the evacuation to as little as possible to reduce violence and incitement," Mofaz said. On Sunday, the government announced plans to dismantle 24 Jewish outposts in the West Bank. No timetable was disclosed. |