GAZA, Aug. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian security forces have started deploying on Gaza borders with Israel and near the Jewish settlements to be evacuated from August 15, Palestinian security sources reported Saturday.

    The sources added that the security personnel were tasked with preventing militants from firing homemade rockets at the settlements to ensure a peaceful Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank.

    The sources said that around 300 Palestinian soldiers were deployed on Saturday morning at Kisofem crossing in southern Gaza Strip and the presence of Palestinian security members had been strengthened near the settlement of Morag near Rafah town. By Monday which is the first day of the Israeli pullout from Gaza, the actual deployment of Palestinian security personnel would rise to some 5,000.

    The Israeli cabinet is expected to hold a meeting on Monday to approve the evacuation of the second group of settlements. On Aug. 7, the Israeli cabinet approved withdrawal of the first three of all the 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip including Nitsaremm, Morag and Kfar Darom.

    Israel is scheduled to take three weeks to remove 21 settlements in Gaza and four in the northern West Bank in four stages. Enditem