Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon moved today to accelerate his plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip by announcing that a parliamentary vote on the controversial project would take place in two weeks.
'I am going to submit my plan for debate and a vote in the Knesset in two weeks only, on 25 October,' Sharon told MPs on the opening day of the winter session of parliament.
The announcement means MPs will give their verdict on his
so-called disengagement plan just a day after a cabinet vote. Sharon had previously indicated he would put the issue to a vote in the 120-seat parliament on 3 November.
The move represents a significant gamble by Sharon who lacks a majority in parliament after traditional allies quit or were sacked from the coalition in June.
Meanwhile, Israel was pushing on with its deadly offensive in Gaza today.
Senior officers were reported to have told Sharon that Operation Days of Penitence, launched 13 days ago, had now met its main objective and managed to halt rocket attacks on southern Israel.
Much of the operation has been centred around the Jabaliya refugee camp in the north of the territory. A total of 111 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the offensive in the territory began on 28 September.
