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Israeli Family in Gaza Awaits End of Settlements

- Ravi Nessman In less than three months the Israeli government is planning to evacuate the 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip, including Ganei Tal. Ezra and Naomi Eldar moved here 27 years ago after seeing a government ad in a newspaper inviting Israelis to start a new agricultural settlement in Gaza. The land that is now Ganei Tal was an expanse of empty sand dunes, Naomi said, and she armed herself with a broom in a constant fight to keep the sand from taking over her house. "There was nothing here, only sky," she said. "Even birds weren't here. After we put in the trees and grass, birds began to come." Now, 90 families live in Ganei Tal. The Eldars say they love it here. For kids it is "paradise," Naomi said. They ride their bikes to the beach. But many, like 13-year-old Avital, have been plagued by nightmares in recent years when the settlements have been barraged by mortar shells and rockets launched from nearby Palestinian towns. Naomi, who runs the community center, talks excitedly about the settlements' large annual summer party, which brings singers and entertainers from all over the country. Thousands of people attend, sitting near the artificial lake and singing. This year the party is set for Aug. 16. The pullout is to start the next day. (AP/Washington Post)
2005-06-03 00:00:00
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