Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Historical Documentation of Israeli's Disengagement from the Gaza Strip on August 22, 2005 and from northern Samaria on August 23, 2005. The site includes background, official statements, maps, photos, press releases issued during the evacuation, videos, photos, and statements from international leaders including:

Follow up:

US President George Bush Radio Address (Aug 27, 2005): During the past two weeks, Prime Minister Sharon and the Israeli people took a courageous and painful step by removing Israeli settlements in Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank. I congratulate the Prime Minister for his bold leadership. Now that Israel has withdrawn, the way forward is clear. The Palestinians must show the world that they will fight terrorism and govern in a peaceful way. We will continue to help the Palestinians to prepare for self government and to defeat the terrorists who attack Israel and oppose the establishment of a peaceful Palestinian state. We remain fully committed to defending the security and well-being of our friend and ally Israel. We demand an end to terrorism and violence in every form because we know that progress depends on ending terror. And we will continue working for the day when the map of the Middle East shows two democratic states - Israel and Palestine - living side by side in peace and security.

In reading the Revised (and final) Disengagement Plan (dated June 6, 2004), the goals are clear:

Five. Relocation from the Gaza Strip and from an area in Northern Samaria should reduce friction with the Palestinian population. Six. The completion of the plan will serve to dispel the claims regarding Israel's responsibility for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. ...Eight. International support for this plan is widespread and important. This support is essential in order to bring the Palestinians to implement in practice their obligations to combat terrorism and effect reforms as required by the Roadmap, thus enabling the parties to return to the path of negotiation.

Skipping down from Section One to Section Three, we read:

2) The Gaza Strip shall be demilitarized and shall be devoid of weaponry, the presence of which does not accord with the Israeli-Palestinian agreements. 3) The State of Israel reserves its fundamental right of self-defense, both preventive and reactive, including where necessary the use of force, in respect of threats emanating from the Gaza Strip.