GAZA CITY, 4 February 2005 — The Israeli Cabinet yesterday approved a troop pullback from Jericho and the release of 900 Palestinian prisoners. The Cabinet also approved an earlier decision by the army chief to halt the targeted killings of Palestinians.
Israel and the Palestinians said they hoped to declare a formal cease-fire at Tuesday’s Sharm El-Sheikh summit between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
A joint declaration of a cessation of violence is one of the first requirements in the internationally backed road map peace plan, which calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state this year.
The summit was called before US President George W. Bush pledged $350 million in aid to the Palestinians to bolster security and economic development and said the goal of Palestinian statehood “is within reach.”
As part of a confidence-building package to be presented at the summit, Israel will carry out a phased military pullback from Jericho in the West Bank and free 900 prisoners, Cabinet officials said.
Palestinians jailed for attacks will not be included in the release, the officials said, adding that a first group of 500 prisoners would be freed next week, after the summit, with 400 to follow over a period of three months.
The 900 prisoners represent about one-eighth of the total number of prisoners Israel holds. The decision to withdraw only from quiet Jericho falls short of expectations that ministers would approve the evacuation of five West Bank towns, but followed the Israeli government’s decision earlier this week to slow the pullout after a brief outbreak in violence.
“We are not talking about peace now, and not about the road map, but rather about phases that come before implementation of the road map,” participants quoted Sharon as saying at yesterday’s meeting.
Earlier in the day, both sides sounded optimistic about truce prospects.
“I hope that a cease-fire will be declared, a halt to all violent acts,” Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres told Israel Army Radio.
Abbas, returning to the West Bank after a five-country trip, said he had already won an agreement from hard-line groups to halt attacks and expected Israel to respond positively. “We have announced a cease-fire, and the Israelis should announce one also,” he said.
Speaking to reporters in the West Bank town of Ramallah, Abbas said he wanted Palestinians who have served long terms to be included in the first round of the release.
Approval for the Jericho withdrawal, which could take place before the summit, was largely window-dressing. Jericho has been quiet during the fighting, and troops have moved into the town only a few times to make arrests
Under the new arrangements, troops would need Palestinian approval before entering the town, and Palestinian police would be allowed to carry weapons, Israeli security sources said. Roadblocks around Jericho are expected to remain in place, they added.
— Additional input from agencies
