Palestinian security forces are prepared to take over Gaza Strip areas Israel is planning to evacuate next month, Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia said Wednesday. "The Palestinian Authority can fill the void after the evacuation,"Qureia said after visiting a training base for new recruits in Gaza. "We are capable of shouldering our responsibility." The Palestinian Civil Defense Department on Wednesday took out ads on the Internet and local radio stations, telling people to stay away from the Jewish settlements after the evacuation. The ads warn that ordnance could be left behind, and must be reported to the proper authorities if found. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has been trying to preserve a fragile truce involving Israel and extremists' groups, The Associated Press reported. Abbas and other Palestinian leaders were in Gaza on Wednesday as part of preparations for the withdrawal.
