Israeli settlers clash with soldiers in the West Bank settlement of Sanur.

JERUSALEM, Aug. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli forces will brace for a fierce confrontation with settlers in two West Bank settlements due for evacuation on Wednesday, a senior police officer said Sunday.

   Opposition to the evacuation of Sa-Nur and Homesh, two settlements in northern West Bank, is expected to be fierce, said the officer anonymously.

   He believed the struggle would be violent and even escalates to the use of firearms.

   Sticks, rocks, oil, sprays and other means are expected to be used against the evacuating forces, he said.

   He said another concern is that the settlers might enter nearby Arab villages and carry out attacks, a move which might spur Palestinian revenge and cause delay of the pullout.

   A total of 2,100 people are now in Homesh and Sa-Nur, including hundreds of radical youths who have infiltrated in recent months.

   Of the total, 1,500 are in Homesh, where previously only 15 families had been living.

   Residents of two other northern West Bank settlements -- Ganim and Kadim -- had left voluntarily over the past several weeks.

A Jewish settler (R) is fighting with a Israeli solider at the settlement of Sanur, West Bank, August 21, 2005.

   Infiltrations by night have continued over the past few days, even after the Israeli army declared the area closed last week. A number of right-wing activists have been arrested.

   Drawing lessons from the evacuation in the Gaza Strip, the Central Command will be using harsh measures against pullout foes from the outset, officials said.

   Riot police units and Border Police will enter the settlements first to clear rioters from the streets and only then go to the homes.

   Police will be deployed in greater numbers than in the Gaza Strip, along with water cannons. Arming the police with clubs is also under consideration.

   At present, only four settlements were left for evacuation in the Gaza Strip, where more 8,000 settlers had been living. Israeli troops are expected to finish the Gaza evacuation by Tuesday and start the pullout in the West Bank Wednesday. Enditem