Israel might delay its planned pullout from the Gaza Strip by three weeks, meaning the evacuation of 8,000 settlers would begin in mid-August. The reason for the delay is that the original target date falls during the three week mourning period for Tisha B’av, marking the destruction of the two Biblical Temples. Observant Jews are not allowed to move during that period. "Every effort must be made to make it easier for people to get through this crisis," Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told reporters. "This issue will certainly be raised at a ministerial committee meeting tomorrow and a decision will have to be made."