A meeting of the special Israeli ministerial committee for the evacuation of Gaza Strip the northern West Bank settlements on Tuesday did not reach a decision on a proposal to postpone the move by some three weeks until August 15.
The decision was deferred until after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon discusses the matter with security officials. Israel Radio quoted Sharon as telling the ministers on Tuesday that a decision would be made soon but he wanted to ascertain how the proposed three-week delay would affect preparations by security forces to evacuate the settlers.
On Monday, Sharon expressed his support for a proposal to delay the evacuation, Haaretz reported.
Shrtly before the committee met, Israel's Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz said he would propose that the panel recommend postponing a longer delay, until late October.
