Morag, Gaza Strip ? Triumphant Palestinians poured into abandoned Jewish settlements today, setting empty synagogues on fire and shooting in the air, as the last Israeli soldier left the Gaza Strip, completing Israel’s pullout after 38 years of occupation.

Palestinian police stood by helplessly as gunmen raised flags of militant groups in the settlements and crowds smashed what was left in the ruins or walked off with doors, window frames and metal.

Initial plans by Palestinian police to bar the crowds from the settlements for the first few hours quickly collapsed, illustrating the weakness of the Palestinian security forces and concerns about growing chaos after Israel’s departure.

“Today is a day of joy and happiness that our people were deprived of in the past century,” said Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, adding that the Palestinians still have a long path toward statehood.

Israel’s pullout marks the first time the Palestinians will have control over a defined territory.

Palestinians hope to build their state in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem – areas that Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast War – but fear that Israel will not hand over additional territory.

Israel removed some 8,500 Gaza settlers from their homes in 21 settlements last month, and razed homes and most buildings in the communities. However, the Israeli Cabinet decided at the last minute Sunday to leave 19 synagogue buildings intact, drawing complaints from the Palestinians and criticism from the United States.

Palestinians celebrate as they stand atop a damaged synagogue early this morning after it was set on fire following the Israeli army withdrawal from the former Jewish settlement of Netzarim. Convoys of Israeli troops rolled out of the Gaza Strip in the final phase of Israel's pullout from the territory after 38 years of occupation.

After rushing into the settlements early today, Palestinians set fire to two empty synagogues.

Palestinian police appeared overwhelmed, watching the destruction from the sidelines.

The 5,000 Israeli troops who had been left in Gaza began driving toward Israel before dawn today.

Late Sunday, Israeli troops lowered their national banner in Neve Dekalim, snapped farewell pictures and closed army headquarters, which were left intact for use by the Palestinians.

The withdrawal, code-named “Last Watch,” was overshadowed by Israeli-Palestinian disputes, including over border arrangements and Israel’s last-minute decision not to demolish synagogues. The army was forced to cancel a formal handover ceremony that had been set for Sunday after angry Palestinians said they wouldn’t show up.