Israeli Troops Begin Pull Back From Jericho (Reuters)

[Hissyspit]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L16249008.htm

Israeli troops set to pull back from Jericho
16 Mar 2005 07:04:50 GMT

Source: Reuters
By Mohammed Assadi

JERICHO, West Bank, March 16 (Reuters) - Israeli forces began dismantling a checkpoint near Jericho on Wednesday before a planned pullback later in the day, a move that could bolster Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in truce talks with militants.

Two cranes loaded concrete blocks onto trucks at an Israeli military checkpoint at the entrance to the West Bank city shortly before a meeting between Israeli and Palestinian officers to finalise the handover, expected at around 1100 GMT.

"It was agreed that after a joint tour by Israeli and Palestinian brigade commanders (on Wednesday) the handover of the city of Jericho will begin," a senior Israeli officer said after military teams from both sides met late on Tuesday.

The officer, who declined to be identified, said Jericho would be transferred to "full Palestinian security control" but Israeli forces would remain at a key intersection on a highway leading to the biblical, oasis city.

MORE

[osiristz]

1. pull back from Jericho

Darn....couldn't get over the "walls" this time?

[MisterP]

2. think Puddles the Monkey will break out the Ark of the Covenant

and level it?