1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS22000Updated September 16, 2005Israels Disengagement from Gaza(name redacted)Specialist in Middle Eastern AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryIn December 2003,
2、Prime Minister Sharon announced that Israel would unilaterallywithdraw from the Gaza Strip; the evacuation of settlers began on August 17, 2005, andwas completed on August 23. Disengagement was carried out efficiently, rapidly, andwithout major violence. Related issues coordinated with the Palestini
3、ans includeddisposition of settler assets and security. The implications of disengagement for theWest Bank, the “Road Map,” and a future Palestinian state are uncertain. The total costof disengagement exceeds $2 billion, and Congress may deal with a special Israeli aidrequest in the future. See also
4、 CRS Issue Brief IB91137, The Middle East Peace Talks,and CRS Issue Brief IB82008, Israel: Background and Relations with the United States.BackgroundThe Gaza Strip is 140 square miles, about twice the size of Washington, D.C., andhad a population of approximately 8,500 Israeli settlers and 1,325,000
