Cracks widen in Israel over Gaza pullout

Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom's comments that the plan be re-thought should the Islamist movement win parliamentary elections in July flew in the face of statements from Sharon loyalists and cabinet ministers.

"We should not accept a process if it leads to suicide," Shalom told army radio. "It would be totally illogical to go on with the withdrawal plan as if nothing had happened."

The Palestinian Authority accused the foreign minister of looking for an excuse to scupper the Gaza pullout and Hamas slammed him for meddling.

Likewise, Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz and a Sharon aide said there was no question of reneging on the so-called disengagement project.

"The pullout will not be cancelled. It is a difficult process but essential for our future," said Mofaz, stressing that the army was ready to oversee the removal of all 8,000 Jewish settlers from the occupied territory.

Interior Minister Ophir Pines, from the centre-left Labour party which entered into the coalition government primarily to shore up the pullout, told public radio that Shalom's remarks were in fact liable to strengthen Hamas.

Instead, he suggested strengthening Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas and coordinating disengagement to better help his Fatah party win the elections.

"Paradoxically, these declarations could strengthen Hamas... We must be very careful. Abu Mazen's Fatah is weakening considerably as Hamas strengthens," he said, referring to Abbas.

"This plan will be carried out whatever the results of the Palestinian elections," an aide to the prime minister told AFP.