Holy places

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Glittering sea is the most precious treasure for many in regained land:

"Hundreds bypassed the dubious treasures of the settlements and headed for what they considered the real jewel. But the charge to the sea also brought tragedy. Three teenagers drowned after running in with no idea how to swim."

meanwhile the synagogue trap set by the Israelis with dismal calculation was walked into willingly by Palestinians:

"The departing Israelis pasted notices on the synagogue walls proclaiming them to be a "Holy Place" after Ariel Sharon's government refused to demolish them on religious grounds and said the Palestinians would be judged by how they treated the buildings. Yesterday, Israel described the attempts to burn down or bulldoze synagogues in four former Gaza settlements as "barbaric"."

each action a counter in the desperate game...