JERUSALEM, July 4 (Xinhuanet) -- The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is demanding that Israel extend its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip two kilometers northwards, Israeli National Security Council Chairman Giora Eiland said Monday.

   Eiland said Israel completely rejects such a demand, pointing out that conceding to this demand would mean the evacuation of a Jewish community within the current Israeli territory.

   The demand, which was presented by PNA Civil Affairs Minister Mohammed Dahlan, is based on an agreement signed between Israel and Egypt in 1949, in which no map but protocol is included, he said.

   The agreement calls for the border to be two kilometers north of the Gaza Strip.

   Eiland added that the Palestinians are ignoring an agreement signed in 1950, which includes maps along with the protocol, and is recognized by international law.

   An associate of Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, however, subsequently denied the report, saying a Palestinian demand for an Israeli withdrawal to 1949 borders and the evacuation of another community beyond the 21 in the Gaza Strip was never raised in any meetings between military or security officials, including those between Mofaz, Dahlan and PNA Minister Nasser Yousef.

   A senior defense establishment official also said that "this is an idea based on fantasy, with no grasp on reality."

   Meanwhile, Eiland also revealed Monday at a session of the Knesset (parliament) Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Israeli soldiers will take an active part in the evacuation of settlers from Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip as part of the "inner circle."

   Until now the disengagement plan was for Israeli police to perform the actual evacuation, with defence forces overseeing the operation from an "outer circle." Their responsibilities were to be limited to responding to possible Palestinian attacks during the pullout.

   The Israeli army, according to the original plan, would only act as a reserve force to aid the police if they encountered extreme difficulties in evacuating settlers.

   Eiland said that the army has to join the police in evacuating the settlers, citing a short timetable as the main reason.

   Under the disengagement plan, Israel is expected to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and part of northern West Bank from mid-August. Enditem