TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Sunday appointed Maj. Gen. Giora Eiland to a head a task force to draw borders if talks with the Palestinians fail.
Earlier this month, Sharon threatened to act unilaterally unless the peace talks with the Palestinians start moving ahead.
If Israel is forced to take the initiative, he said, the security fence it is building would become the border, CBC News reported.
Both the Palestinians and United States have objected to Sharon's plan, saying Israel's new borders must be negotiated.
Eiland's appointment came the same day Sharon ordered the evacuation of four illegal settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Bush administration has said the dismantling of settlements is a necessary element in the peace process.
Also Sunday, Israeli soldiers killed three armed Palestinians as they approached the settlement of Netzarim, near Gaza City, CBC News said.
