GAZA, Sept. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli army troops started leaving military posts in several areas in the Gaza Strip early Saturday in final preparations for a withdrawal from the occupied territory expected to be finished on Monday.

   Palestinian security forces stationed around the evacuated settlements reported that they saw Israeli soldiers leaving in their tanks and armored vehicles.

   According to the plan presented to Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, the Israeli army would start pulling out from the Gaza Strip in the late hours of Sunday and finish the withdrawal in the early hours of Monday, Israel radio said.

   Meanwhile, Palestinian witnesses reported that the Israeli army started demolishing Jewish synagogues inside the evacuated settlement bloc of Gush Katif early Saturday.

   The witnesses said that they heard strong three strong explosions inside the Gush Katif bloc that includes 15 settlements.

   The Israeli high court has backed in a ruling the government plan to demolish synagogues in the Gaza settlements. Enditem