In an apparent effort to contain damage from Weisglass's remarks, Sharon reaffirmed his formal commitment to the "road map," which has been torn by continuing violence on both sides.
"(It is) the only plan that can permit progress toward a durable political settlement with the Palestinians," he said.
"In the absence of a Palestinian partner, we have initiated disengagement ... to improve Israel's ability to defend its citizens," Sharon said in a statement.
U.S. diplomats reiterated Washington's position that "disengagement" could help kickstart the "road map."
"We feel disengagement, if it is done with international support, has the potential to move both parties closer to realising the president's vision of two states living side by side in peace and security," said a U.S. embassy spokeswoman.
Palestinian leaders believe "disengagement" is a ruse to dash their dream of a state by confining 2.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank to patches of land separated by settlements.
They fear Sharon feels free to do as he pleases given Bush's preoccupation with a re-election campaign in which he will need Jewish votes, and with a troubled U.S.-led occupation of Iraq.
Israeli armoured forces stormed into northern Gaza a week ago in a bid to smash militants responsible for rocket fire into Israel. Seventy-five Palestinians have been killed, 30 of them civilians, medics say. Three Israelis have been killed.
(Additional reporting by Wafa Amr in the West Bank, Nidal Mughrabi in Gaza, Matt Spetalnick in Jerusalem)
