GADID, Gaza Strip - Israeli troops today quickly cleared out a synagogue full of dozens of opponents to the pullout of the Gaza, avoiding a repeat of previous day's violence in which youths holed up on a rooftop pelted soldiers with acid, oil and sand.

The smooth operation that cleared out the small settlement of Gadid was the latest sign of progress as Israel pushed forward with its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

After today's operation, only four of the 21 Gaza settlements stood empty, and Israel's commander for the region, Maj. Gen. Dan Harel, said the remainder could be emptied by Tuesday - weeks ahead of schedule.

In the outpost of Kerem Atzmona, Israeli bulldozers crushed several empty trailer homes, the first home demolitions since the withdrawal began. Israel plans on demolishing all homes in the abandoned settlements, removing hazardous waste and turning over other rubble to the Palestinians for construction.

Today's lone mission, to clear out Gadid, began at sunrise. A few holdout families, along with 60 hardline "reinforcements" from outside Gaza, were in the community when the troops entered.

In what has become a familiar scene this week, settlers set two cars, wooden planks, and garbage bins on fire, sending a thick plume of black smoke into the air. "Enjoy the show," said Moses Golden, a protester who threw gasoline on a fire.

A military bulldozer cleared debris, and troops quickly fanned throughout the settlement.

Most of the protesters holed up in the settlement's synagogue, where they were permitted to hold morning prayers. After negotiations with police, the protesters agreed not to resist with force. Police moved into the building and carried the protesters away into waiting buses.

Troops rounded up a few holdouts who climbed on the roofs of houses. One female protester slipped off a roof, suffering light to moderate injuries, the army said.

Palestinian militants opened fire at an army outpost in Gadid, causing no damage or injuries. Palestinian officials have pledged to maintain calm during the pullout, and there have been only isolated instances of gun and mortar fire this week.

The scene in Gadid was a sharp contrast to the fierce standoffs Thursday between troops and young protesters in the Neve Dekalim and Kfar Darom settlements. At least 41 police and soldiers and 17 civilians were injured, and about 50 people were arrested.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said he was infuriated by the violence and the rioters would be prosecuted. Investigators would also check "who sent them (the rioters) and who incited them," he told the Haaretz daily.

Sharon said he was saddened when watching the evacuation of Kfar Darom on television. "But in the evening, when I saw the tossing of those bottles of poisonous substances, or harmful substances, and the injury to ... soldiers and police, my mood altered and the pain turned to rage," he said.

In Kfar Darom, dozens of protesters had barricaded themselves behind razor wire on the synagogue roof, at first singing and waving flags, then attacking soldiers below with caustic liquids and objects, including paint-filled lightbulbs.

To break the siege, army cranes lowered metal cages filled with helmeted troops onto the roof, as cannons sprayed protesters with blasts of blue-tinted water. Other troops carrying wire cutters climbed ladders slick with oil. Then the troops removed the protesters one by one.