GAZA, Aug. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- Minister of Civil Affairs Mohammed Dahlan said on Monday that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) will impose closure on settlements slated for evacuation for three days following an Israeli withdrawal.

    Speaking to the al Ayyam daily, Dahlan said, "The PNA willforbid Palestinians to enter the evacuated settlements in the first three days."

    He said the closure was aimed at allowing international inspection teams to follow up the pullout and giving time to Palestinian experts to scour poisonous materials in the settlements.

    He said the PNA was preparing for big ceremonies to celebrate the withdrawal.

    In addition, Dahlan said Israel had granted 5,000 Palestinian families living abroad permits to return to the Gaza Strip.

    Israel will withdraw from all the 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip and four of 120 in the West Bank in mid-August, the first time that the Jewish state gives up lands seized in the 1967 Mideast War.  Enditem