The IDF will not be withdrawing from Tul Karem and the Jenin areas in the coming days. Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer made this announcement at today\'s Cabinet meeting, explaining that the frequent intelligence warnings of terrorist attacks and the lack of PA activity against them make it undesirable for these areas to be handed over to the PA.
The IDF entered PLO-controlled areas in and around six cities about three weeks ago. Over the next two weeks, it gradually withdrew from several of them, including Beit Jala, Bethlehem, and Ramallah, and was widely assumed to be completing its withdrawal around now. As mentioned, however, the army will remain in the above cities for now.
Ben-Eliezer said that Arafat is under pressure from several sides: the Americans, the Europeans, and even some PA elements who wish to change tactics and call off the war. \"Despite this,\" the Defense Minister, \"Arafat has not yet done that which is expected of him vis-a-vis the terrorism.\" Ben-Eliezer noted that the army\'s 20 offensive missions of the past week led to the deaths of 13 terrorists and the capture of another 30.
The IDF entered PLO-controlled areas in and around six cities about three weeks ago. Over the next two weeks, it gradually withdrew from several of them, including Beit Jala, Bethlehem, and Ramallah, and was widely assumed to be completing its withdrawal around now. As mentioned, however, the army will remain in the above cities for now.
Ben-Eliezer said that Arafat is under pressure from several sides: the Americans, the Europeans, and even some PA elements who wish to change tactics and call off the war. \"Despite this,\" the Defense Minister, \"Arafat has not yet done that which is expected of him vis-a-vis the terrorism.\" Ben-Eliezer noted that the army\'s 20 offensive missions of the past week led to the deaths of 13 terrorists and the capture of another 30.