The Buffer Zone

JERUSALEM, Dec. 27, 2005 — -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has approved the creation of a "buffer zone" in northern Gaza, an area often used by Palestinian militants to launch Kassam rockets at Israel.

Israeli officials say leaflets that warn people to stay away will be dropped into the area of northern Gaza. Any Palestinian caught in the buffer zone risks being targeted and killed by the Israeli army.

Palestinians consider this a massive step backward from Israel's Gaza pullout last summer. This buffer zone is where several of the Israeli settlements once stood. Five months ago, world leaders congratulated Sharon for pulling out of Gaza. Now, Palestinians accuse Israel of taking back the land.

"Carving out a so-called buffer zone is tantamount to reoccupying Gaza," chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told reporters.

Complicating the situation are the forthcoming Israeli and Palestinian elections. Any new wide-scale conflict is likely to affect the outcome of the Palestinian elections.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas may use new violence between Israelis and Palestinians as a reason to postpone the Jan. 25 vote.

Hamas, considered a terrorist group by the United States, has candidates who are ready to make a strong showing in the elections. Polls show Hamas is set to take anywhere from 40 percent to 60 percent of the vote, while Abbas' Fatah party could face huge losses. Postponing elections would benefit Abbas' Fatah party and the Israeli government, which are both worried about Hamas taking political power.

Abbas has ordered the Palestinian police officers stationed in the northern area of the Gaza Strip to remain at their posts, likely setting up a confrontation between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government, and potentially thwarting the chance for Palestinians to cast a ballot.