TEL AVIV - Government trucks arrived in the Nitzanim area Thursday and unloaded four "cara-villas" (upscale caravans) to be utilized as a temporary housing solution for would-be evacuees, in yet another sign of the approaching Gaza Strip and northern West Bank pullout.
Thursday's move comes despite a petition filed at the Supreme Court against construction in the Nitzanim region.
Standing to the side, Defense and Housing Ministry officials observed with great satisfaction as a new community is being set up.
"It was important to bring the cara-villas at this time, in order for Gush Katif settlers to see them with their own eyes," one official at the site told Ynet. "Perhaps this will result in more of them moving here."
The caravans were placed at the site without any disturbances or protest, after police prohibited members of the Green Course environmental group from interferring. The group has attempted in the past to impede works being done in the western Negev's Nitzanim area.
It is estimated that a few hundred caravans are expected to be placed at the site. However, the Disengagement Authority and governmental offices have not yet committed to an exact number.
'Just another dirty trick'
Meanwhile, Nitzan resident and Society for the Protection of Nature in Nitzanim head Yair Farjun watched the caravans arrive.
Notably, Farjun has led a strong fight to protect the area from residential development.
"While we truly fought this decision, the caravans arrival is a fact on the ground," he told Ynet, " and a tangible expression of all that we feared, but from now on we need to look forward."
Nitzan residents officially joined the campaign against the relocation of settlers to the region after they filed an additional plea with the High Court last month.
Attorney Avner Hecker, who is handling the case on behalf of the residents, said construction is continuing despite a Supreme Court recommendation that an agreement be reached with the residents.
Hecker explained the residents are willing to absorb the evacuees only in the town of Nitzan itself, and not at caravans constructed on the area’s sand dunes.
Spokesman for the Gaza Beach Regional Council Eran Sternberg said in response that Thursday's development was "yet another dirty trick by the Sharon's mafia."
"Since this exercise is so transparent, I believe that the trick will not influence the Gush Katif residents, it will also anger many good people in Israel and many more activists will join the struggle."
- Efrat Weiss contributed to the report
