Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer told the Cabinet this morning that he intends to order the withdrawal of the army forces tonight from the PA-controlled city of Kalkilye, east of Herzliyah. Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman reports that although the decision is not final, \"all signs point to a withdrawal.\" Even today\'s attack in Jerusalem was not expected to change these plans, because it occurred in Jerusalem, not in Kalkilye. The withdrawal that was considered from Ramallah, however, has apparently been put off.
\"I am skeptical,\" Huberman said, \"about the announcement that the military offensive has \'exhausted itself.\' The fact is that this action has shown very good results, such as the thwarting of several attacks and the capture or killing of many important terrorists. It could be that Blair\'s visit also contributed to the relative quiet of the past days, but certainly the army\'s presence in these areas is very important to Israel\'s defense.\"
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon advised US Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer yesterday that because of the \"security situation\" in Israel, he would not be able to visit Washington this week. Today Sharon said that he wanted to remain here to supervise the planned withdrawal of the IDF from PA-controlled areas.
\"I am skeptical,\" Huberman said, \"about the announcement that the military offensive has \'exhausted itself.\' The fact is that this action has shown very good results, such as the thwarting of several attacks and the capture or killing of many important terrorists. It could be that Blair\'s visit also contributed to the relative quiet of the past days, but certainly the army\'s presence in these areas is very important to Israel\'s defense.\"
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon advised US Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer yesterday that because of the \"security situation\" in Israel, he would not be able to visit Washington this week. Today Sharon said that he wanted to remain here to supervise the planned withdrawal of the IDF from PA-controlled areas.