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Israel’s “Disengagement” Plan (even as revised on May 30, 2004) repeats the mistakes of the Oslo Accords: Israel redeploys from heavily populated Palestinian areas while still maintaining military and economic control over those areas. At the same time, Israel expands colonies and infrastructure in other parts of Occupied Palestinian Territory in order to prejudice final status negotiations. Under the Plan:

Illegal Israeli Colonies to be Evacuated: Israel claims that it will eventually evacuate all illegal colonies in the Occupied Gaza Strip. The total settler population of the Occupied Gaza Strip is approximately 7,3001 (only 0.5% of the Gaza population) although 17 Israeli colonies, related roads and military installations control approximately 15% of the Strip.2 In exchange for partially complying with its obligations under international law in the Occupied Gaza Strip, Israel expects to retain larger colony blocs in the Occupied West Bank.

Israel has stated that it intends to evacuate the Gaza colonies in four stages, but there is no guarantee that a complete evacuation will take place. This staggered four-phase approach is similar to the failed Oslo approach: “temporary” interim phases become long-term realities as Israel “evacuates” from some densely populated Palestinian areas while simultaneously expanding colonies throughout the rest of Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Israeli Military Control to Remain: Because Israel intends to maintain control over Palestinian territorial waters, airspace, borders and international relations, the Gaza Strip will continue to be “occupied territory” under international law. Israel’s duties as an Occupying Power, pursuant to the Fourth Geneva Convention (including the duty to protect and ensure the well-being of the Palestinian population under Israel’s control) therefore remain for as long as such control is exercisable.

Israel has also reserved the right to militarily invade the Occupied Gaza Strip under the undefined pretext of “self-defense” (including “preventative steps”), while simultaneously demanding that the Occupied Gaza Strip be demilitarized, with no means to protect itself from an Israeli invasion.