August 18 -Diary

Neveh Dekalim
Thursday
-- Mid-morning: IDF attempts to evacuate remaining families.
-- IDF tells those barricaded in synagogue they can leave voluntarily after prayers at 10:30, after which troops will force their way in.
-- Before 11 A.M.: Evacuation of synagogue, where 1,000-2,000 youths are holed up, begins.
-- 11:45 A.M.: Shas chairman Eli Yishai chants with Yesha leaders.
-- Just before 1 P.M.: Police, Yesha chiefs agree to evacuate Neveh Dekalim synagogue.
-- IDF gives protesters barricaded in synagogue until early afternoon to leave or be forcible evacuated.
-- Several remaining residents set their houses on fire.
-- Protesters spill oil in entrance to synagogue to block evacuating forces.
-- 2:30 P.M.: IDF extends deadline for pullout foes to leave synagogue.
-- 3:20 P.M. Pullout foes barricaded in synagogue given 10 minute ultimatum to evacuate.
-- 3 P.M.: Troops break into Neveh Dekalim Sephardic synagogue, protesters resist, throw plastic bottles, sit on floor with arms linked.
-- Soldier injured during evacuation of synagogue from mass congestion, shoving.
-- Four IDF troops carry Yesha Settlement council member from synagogue. -- 4:30 P.M.: Troops prepare to storm Ashkenazic synagogue, continue evacuation of Sephardic synagogue.
-- 5 P.M: Troops break into Ashkenazic synagogue.
-- 6 P.M.: Six protesters slightly injured in Sephardic synagogue evacuation.
-- 6:15 P.M.: 150-200 women, 50 men still holed up in Kfar Darom synagogue compound.
-- 6:45 P.M.: Men evacuated from synagogue, Torah scrolls removed.