The borders between Israel and Gaza were closed at 5 pm EDT last night.

Well, now it’s done. It’s illegal for Israelis to live in Gaza. The Palestinians think this is great and are throwing a party –

Palestinians planted flags and deployed troops near some Jewish settlements, and called for the ‘’liberation’’ of the West Bank and Jerusalem. Banners proclaiming ‘’Today Gaza, tomorrow Jerusalem’’ flew in Gaza City.

Complete with banners and flags and troops… now, where’s the confetti and champagne?

The Israelis on the other hand don’t have time to party, they’re busy evacuating.

At the same time, thousands of defiant Israeli settlers and 5,000 supporters who flocked to Gaza gathered themselves for the next step: the arrival today in 16 settlements of Israeli soldiers and police officers carrying written evacuation orders and offering to pack the settlers’ belongings. The operation carries the title ‘’Yad Ahim’’ or ``A Hand to Our Brothers.’‘

Anyone still there Wednesday or in the 20 other Israeli villages and towns in Gaza will be subject to physical removal by 55,000 Israeli soldiers and police.

Looks like they’re going to have to hurry. And since they’re 7 hours ahead of us, they better hurry, Wednesday isn’t all that far away. But we shall see just how peaceful this evacuation is as it unfolds…