Israel prepping for Gaza withdrawal

JERUSALEM, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Top Israeli officials are reportedly seeking to develop support for a consensus about how Israel should pull out of the Gaza Strip.

The Ha'aretz news service said talks with U.S. and Egyptian officials have focused on the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip, between Rafah and Egypt.

Expectations are Egypt will play a security role in that area once Israel leaves.

On Saturday, Dov Weisglass, head of the prime minister's bureau, and Ariel Sharon's national security advisor, Giora Eiland, were scheduled to depart for Washington to meet with National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.

Israeli officials next week will discuss a withdrawal from the area with Egyptian officials.

Israel believes the Egyptians will cooperate -- given several conditions: a complete and absolute Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, withdrawals from the West Bank, and coordination of the evacuation of Gaza with the Palestinians and Egyptians.