IDF Almost Ready to Leave Most of Hevron

Despite all, the plans to withdraw the IDF forces from most of Hevron this week are still in effect. A senior Central Command officer told Arutz-7's Haggai Huberman that the redeployment would take place after two points are agreed upon: What security powers the Arabs in Hevron will assume, and in which evacuated areas the IDF could continue to operate. "There certainly will not be a hasty retreat as there was in Bethlehem," the official said.



The IDF forces will continue to patrol, in any event, in the Abu Sneineh and Haret a-Sheikh hills overlooking the Jewish neighborhoods.



Hevron Spokesman David Wilder reminds, however, that Bethlehem had become a haven for Hevron terrorists, as IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon said only two weeks ago, and that the withdrawal from Hevron would merely allow them to "return to their homes and safely prepare future attacks that will endanger Hevron and the entire country." Leaders of nationalist parties in the Knesset wrote last week to Prime Minister Sharon, "We believe it is unthinkable to again abandon the security of Hevron's Jews, leaving them to the responsibility and 'good will' of the Palestinian 'security' forces."