Even before Israeli soldiers had finished pulling out, members of the Palestinian security forces entered Neve Dekalim, the largest of the 21 vacated settlements, along with four others in the south territory and two in the north.

It was at the divisional headquarters there that Brigadier-General Aviv Kochavi oversaw the lowering of Israel’s blue and white flag, telling his troops: “You soldiers here today are the last to lay foot on the sands of Gaza. We shall go together and lock the gate.”

He was due to be the last Israeli soldier to leave at dawn.

As a huge convoy of Israeli tanks filed out from the settlement shortly before 2.30am, Israeli troops fired flares into the sky to light their way, while spotter drones hovered above. Watching from a nearby checkpoint, Palestinian police stood on their tin-shacked roofs and cried Allahu Akbar (God is greatest).

Huge columns of flames could later be seen rising from the remains of Kfar Darom settlement, sending a cloud of black smoke trailing eastwards in the direction of the Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles which were pulling out to the echo of gunshots from an unknown location.

The Palestinian Authority said that it would open the door to jubilant Gaza residents today by organising a celebration in Neve Dekalim.

For weeks flag factories in Khan Yunis and other towns have been churning out uniforms and pennants for victory marches by Hamas and other armed groups. Rooftops, particularly those overlooking the settlements, are festooned with Palestinian flags and the banners of political factions competing to claim credit for the Israeli withdrawal.

Although the evacuation went more smoothly than most predicted — settlers and Palestinian gunmen both failed to put up the resistance that doom-mongers feared — discord persisted until the last moment. Palestinians boycotted a ceremony at which Israeli soldiers were to hand over to their counterparts maps of Gaza’s water, electricity and sewerage infrastructure.

They were protesting at Israel’s decision to close Gaza’s only international land crossing and replace it with an Israeli-controlled terminal.

Ariel Sharon, the Prime Minister, insists that the closure is a necessary temporary measure so that it can control smuggling of weapons and militants until a new upgraded Rafah terminal is built. The Palestinian Authority argues that Israel’s continued control of its air, land and sea borders is one indication that the Jewish state has not ended its 38-year military occupation of Gaza.

In another move likely to provoke rancour, the Israeli Cabinet voted yesterday against demolishing Gaza synagogues after a change of mind by ministers. Mr Sharon was among those who voted against demolition after pressure from rabbis and settler leaders.

The move transferred to the Palestinian Authority the dilemma of what to do with the temples. Most Palestinians want to be rid of all Jewish presence, but it faces likely international criticism for razing religious buildings.

The Palestinian Authority said last night that 21 synagogues would be demolished today. One in the abandoned Morag settlement was set alight early this morning by Palestinians.

The only building left standing will be the Israeli Army’s former Gaza headquarters.

Mohammed Dahlan, the Civil Affairs Minister, said earlier: “These places are no longer synagogues, so now they are not holy places or sanctified.”

Such issues arouse strong emotions among Gaza’s 1.4 million Palestinians, many of whom live below the $2-a-day (£1.10) poverty line and have existed for years in fear of Israeli checkpoint snipers or being caught up in gun battles between Palestinian gunmen and Israeli soldiers.

Even some of those who lost their jobs in the settlements are delighted to be rid of them.

“We are going to be very happy because this is our land,” said Sulaimain, 35, a sewing machinist in a settlement that stood between his Rafah home and the Mediterranean coast.

“I have been waiting for this moment. I have a five-year-old girl who has never seen the sea and she lives less than half a mile from it. There will be no checkpoints, no attacks at night. I’m very happy.”

Overlooking the settlement of Netzarim, Rami Abu Mehdein said that he looked forward to reclaiming the dozens of acres of vineyards bulldozed by Israel to clear a free-fire zone around the settlers.

“Many people will rush to the settlements. The PA will never keep them out, not even if they put all the security forces outside them. People are hot-blooded — they will get in, especially the young,” he said.

“A lot of our people were killed in the settlements, and their parents and relatives will surely want to see the places where their sons died.”

HANDING OVER

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