Sharon Orders Gaza Closed to Nonresidents

JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (search) ordered that Gaza Strip (search) settlements be closed to all nonresidents on Wednesday to keep out protesters opposed to Israel's planned withdrawal from the communities, according to Israeli media and government officials.

The government had announced plans to seal off the settlements in advance of the upcoming withdrawal from Gaza next month in an effort to prevent sympathizers from joining the residents in resisting the pullout.