The withdrawal of Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip has been completed with far less turmoil than anticipated. Completion of the move shifts the spotlight onto the Palestinian Authority, which must now show that it can govern Gaza. That means providing both jobs and security to Palestinian residents and ensuring that the newly regained territory is not used as a staging ground for attacks on Israel. The government's failure to prevent terrorists from using Gaza as a haven will undermine any hopes for progress toward peace.
There were fears that the Israeli withdrawal from 21 settlements in Gaza and from four of 120 in the West Bank would set off a civil war in Israel between settlers and the Israeli government. There were charges of betrayal from the settlers and their supporters, but the evacuation went off on schedule with only minor disruptions. The completion of the plan is a victory for the rule of law in Israel and a vital step forward in the fragile peace process.
The withdrawal leaves Gaza in the control of the Palestinian Authority. There is much to be done. That government must clean up the rubble left by the Israeli settlers and put the land to good use. According to the United Nations, most residents of Gaza live on less than $2 a day. The United States has pledged $50 million in aid for Gaza, but release of the funds is contingent on administrative reform to ensure that the money is spent as intended; other donors should be equally cautious about how their aid is used.