Israel's military has completed the formation of an expanded force to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank and evict their 10,000 Jewish residents.

Officials said the military and police have expanded their joint force to 50,000 in an effort to complete the Gaza operation within days. They said the joint force began two weeks of training on Monday in preparation for the withdrawal, slated for Aug. 17.

The training in the southern military base of Tseelim would include 5,000 troops and police officers. Officials said these troops have been assigned to physically remove the Israeli residents of the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank from their homes. In a later stage, another 7,000 troops were expected to join the exercise.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon approved a revised military plan to accelerate the eviction of Jews from the Gaza Strip. Officials said the plan presented by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz envisions an intensive effort that would expel the lion's share of Jewish residents and their supporters and seal the 21 communities for eventual destruction within as little as a week
 
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