Neve Dekalim, Gaza Strip, April 20, SPA -- The Israeli military onWednesday began removing shipping containers from a base inthe Gaza Strip, the army's first concrete step toward aplanned pullout this summer. A crane lifted the containers onto flatbed trucks thatdrove out of the base of the Southern Brigade in the Jewishsettlement of Neve Dekalim, the largest in Gaza. In all, 30containers were to be removed Wednesday, the army said.Some of the containers held uniforms, weapons and othernon-essential gear. However, the base will remain in placeuntil the end of the withdrawal. "We are already preparing, so everything won't be lastminute during the planned withdrawal," a military officialsaid on customary condition of anonymity.--SPA1245 Local Time 0945 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/256565