Gaza pullout in second day

NEVEH DEKALIM SETTLEMENT, Gaza (CNN) -- After a standoff with Jewish settlers a day earlier, Israeli security forces dismantled a gate blocking the entrance to Neveh Dekalim and entered it early Tuesday.

Sixty Israeli police officers then formed a human chain across the settlement's main road, about 50 meters inside, according to CNN producer Mike Schwartz. Police said the move was made to allow traffic to flow freely in and out of the settlement.

Scuffles broke out between security forces and people in the settlement later in the morning, with police arresting nine of them, according to representatives with the settlers.

On Monday, settlers refused to allow security forces to enter Neveh Dekalim as Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and portions of the West Bank began.

A short time later, burning tires blocked the path of Israeli soldiers at the entrance to the Elei Sinai settlement in northern Gaza.

Opponents of the pullout continued their efforts to intervene as a midnight deadline approached.

Between Monday night and Tuesday morning, Israeli police said they arrested 500 right-wing protesters who were trying to infiltrate Gaza.

Thousands of Israeli soldiers fanned out around Jewish settlements in Gaza on Monday as they delivered eviction notices, warning residents they have until Wednesday to leave voluntarily or be removed by force.

The scene was emotional and heated at times, but soldiers did their best to avoid confrontation, even as longtime residents shouted in their faces.

"This is a stupid order," one man in Morag yelled at an Israeli army commander, who responded by hugging the settler.

"For God's sake, you are a Jew. You are my brother," another man yelled.

The army commander hugged and kissed that settler, too -- a sign of the emotional toll the Gaza disengagement plan is taking on all parties involved.

Some soldiers were called Nazis as they delivered eviction notices in Morag.

"It can't really get worse," Lt. Eli Ovits said. "We personally disagree with there being any connection between the Holocaust and the disengagement."

Under the eviction notices handed out Monday, settlers have 48 hours to leave Gaza. The notification process also began in four West Bank settlements.

Israel has committed 55,000 soldiers and 8,000 police to the effort. Israeli officials have said soldiers who refuse to carry through with the orders face court-martial.

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