By Ramit Plushnick-Masti
Jerusalem - The Israeli army envisions a "remote control" border for the Gaza Strip after a troop withdrawal, including unmanned patrol cars and computerised observation posts that would automatically spot and kill attackers, a military official said on Friday.
The technology already exists, but the plan hasn't been approved yet, and fallback options are also being considered, the official said on condition of anonymity.
Also on Friday, Yasser Arafat was quoted as saying he "definitely" understands that Israel must retain its Jewish character - a rare acknowledgment by the Palestinian leader. However, Arafat was evasive when asked by the Haaretz daily about the fate of more than four million Palestinian refugees and their descendants.
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| 'Arafat suggested that many refugees could settle in a future Palestinian state' |
In peace talks, the Palestinians have insisted that Israel recognise the refugees' "right of return". Israel refuses, saying a mass influx of Palestinians will undermine the Jewish character of the state. The dispute has contributed to the collapse of negotiations in the past.
In the interview with Haaretz, Arafat suggested that many refugees could settle in a future Palestinian state, but refused to say how many should be allowed into Israel.
The resumption of negotiations on a final peace deal appears remote, with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon forging ahead with his plan of "unilateral disengagement" from the Palestinians.
As part of the plan, Israel would withdraw from Gaza and four small West Bank settlements by the end of September 2005. Israel would also expand large West Bank settlements it intends to keep and complete construction of a West Bank separation barrier that would become the border until a final peace deal is reached.
Military officials said Sharon expects the military to present a detailed plan for the Gaza withdrawal by July. Army planners estimate that the troop redeployment would cost $223-million (about R1,4-billion), the Yediot Ahronot newspaper reported on Friday.
| 'The technology exists, but it the plan hasn't been approved yet' |
An army think tank has been working on a new border design for months, the military officials said. The planners envision a "remote control" border that will cut down on the number of troops being deployed in the area. High-tech equipment for border control is already being tested, they added.
A computerised observation system will allow the army to identify "hostile elements" and fire deep into Gaza, Yediot said. The system will even choose the most appropriate weapon to use to hit a specific target.
In addition, the army is testing unmanned patrol cars that can identify and defuse explosives by remote control. Planners have prepared alternatives in case the technology is not useable in time, military officials said.
"The technology exists, but it the plan hasn't been approved yet," one official said.
On Thursday, the Israeli Defense Ministry published a bid for an 80-foot-deep (25-meter-deep) trench between Egypt and Gaza meant to block Palestinian arms smuggling after a withdrawal.
The trench would cost millions, and military officials said it remains unclear whether more Palestinian homes would have to be demolished to make room for it. Israeli media reported the trench idea would be presented to Egypt in talks next week with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman.
Such plans deepen Palestinian fears that Israel will block all movement in and out of Gaza. "The Israeli government is planning to turn Gaza into a big prison, with 1,3 million people," said Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat. "I think it would be better to have security co-operation. That's what people do when they have a shared border."
However, Israel says that it needs to seal Gaza to prevent attacks by Palestinian militants. On Friday, a home-made rocket was fired from Gaza at the Israeli bordertown of Sderot, landing in the backyard of a home. The rocket caused some damage, but no injury. Dozens of such rockets have been fired in more than three years of Israeli-Palestinian fighting.
Israeli army planners have also been looking at what could disrupt or derail a withdrawal - the collapse of Sharon's shaky coalition, violent settler resistance to evacuation and an increase in attacks by Palestinian militants that could turn Israeli public opinion against a pullback.
Evacuation of Gaza's 7 500 settlers is seen as the most difficult part of the pullout. The army is considering setting up a special unit of 2 000 reserve soldiers to remove settlers, government officials said.
The officials said that within 10 days, settlers willing to leave on their own will be able to present their compensation demands to the government. In August, the first settlers could leave the enclaves.
The government is also considering speeding up the evacuation of settlers by several months, the officials said. The current deadline is September 2005, but the army has been asked to have a plan for a forceful removal of settlers ready by December 2004. - Sapa-AP
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