On August 15, 2005, the Jewish settlers in Gaza faced a historic moment as the evacuation process commenced. The Knesset had already greenlit the disengagement plan earlier in February. Following this, The Disengagement Implementation Law was enforced on July 17th, providing settlers a deadline of August 14th to vacate the Gaza Strip. Yet, when many long-time residents stood their ground, refusing to depart, the subsequent day saw security forces distributing evacuation orders. These residents were then granted an additional 48 hours to make their exit.

In a poignant address to the nation, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, having taken an unexpected decision that left his right-wing supporters astonished, conveyed, “To the resilient residents of the Gaza Strip, this day denotes the closure of an illustrious chapter in Israel's narrative, and equally, a pivotal phase in your journey as trailblazers, visionaries, and the guardians of both our security and our settlements. Your anguish and tears are forever etched in our nation's history."

I WAS THERE - Israel did not withdraw from Gaza - dozen beautiful Jewish cities in Gush Katif exporting 15% of Israel's agricultural and 1000s of families - in near civil war summer 2005, 70k Israel soldiers dragged us out of homes creating years of terror - 100% Israel nightmare

— PlanetCasts (@PlanetCasts) August 7, 2023

Sharon continued: "Even amid our disagreements, our commitment to you remains unshaken. Post-evacuation, we pledge to invest every effort to help reconstruct your lives and communities. To the valiant soldiers of the IDF and the personnel of the Israel Police and Border Police, you are tasked with a mission unparalleled in its complexity. The adversaries you face are not strangers, but our own brethren. Approach this with utmost sensitivity and patience. I remain confident in your resolve and compassion. Always remember, the entire nation stands with you, and pride in you resonates throughout.”

He continued, “To my fellow citizens, the onus of Israel's future lies squarely upon me. I spearheaded this Plan, driven by my conviction that this step, however arduous, is indispensable for Israel's well-being. Trust that the depths of sorrow I bear for this action mirrors the unwavering recognition of its necessity. We now tread a fresh path, laden with perils, yet also shimmering with a glint of hope for us all.”

Tomorrow, we remember 18 years since the agonizing IDF pull out from Gush Katif, Gaza.

It's a story of Judea vs Tel Aviv. Secular vs religious. Left vs right.

I bridge those worlds in my novel, The Settler.

Get it for free on Amazon through Aug. 15.https://t.co/Tz14wEbLDU pic.twitter.com/iYwemCVBHB

— Orit Arfa (@Oritar) August 14, 2023

The evacuation, however, proved to be an uphill task. The sight of Israeli settlers in Gaza fervently protesting, manifesting their dissent through burning tires and choosing not to leave of their own volition, was heart-wrenching. The turnabout by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, once a staunch advocate for the settlements in both Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, left the nation in a state of bewilderment. Post-evacuation, residents from the “Gush Katif” settlements found themselves being relocated to various towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip and several other communities in Judea and Samaria.