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Israel bans nonresidents from Gaza
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YOUR E-MAIL ALERTSJERUSALEM (CNN) -- In a policy change prompted by activists staying in Gaza to protest Israel's plan to close Jewish settlements there, Israel announced that nonresidents will not be allowed into the territory. Israel's Southern Command on Thursday announced "only residents of the Israeli communities in the Gaza Strip will be allowed" entry into Gaza, where the Jewish state plans to end its decades-long presence. Israel also will stop issuing permits to close relatives of settlers. The Israel Defense Forces said, however, that "rescue and security personnel and others responsible for supplying basic goods and services to residents and those employed to transfer the belongings of the residents" will be allowed into Gaza. This announcement said the "policy change was decided upon in light of the illegal presence of a large number of individuals who have remained in the Gaza Strip long after their entry permits expired; these individuals disrupt the daily lives of residents and aim to prevent the implementation of the disengagement plan." This is a reference to recent infiltration of pro-settler activists into Gush Katif, a collection of 17 separate settlements in Gaza. Next week, Jewish settlers will start leaving Gaza and a few communities in the West Bank. The move, spearheaded by longtime settlement supporter Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, is being applauded by some Israeli Jews and opposed by others. It has been greeted positively by Palestinians and throughout the international diplomatic community. 
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