Israel Pulling Out of Eriha

A top level Israeli Defense Ministry official, Amos Gilad, made a statement to Israeli state radio about the handover, "It could be tonight or in a few days." Gilad said the handover depends on the Palestinian Authority’s ability to control terrorism in Eriha and other West Bank cities.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz met last night. Mofaz later announced the Israeli withdrawal from Eriha and Tulkarim and the hand over of these cities to the Palestinian Authority. He did not, however, provide further details such as the timeframe. Israel had previously agreed to withdraw from Eriha, Tulkarim, Kalkilya, Bethlehem, and Ramallah at the Sharm Al-Sheikh summit on February 8.