Israel, PA reach deal on Jericho handover

Israel has agreed in principle to hand Jericho to Palestinian control, but the two sides have been at odds over the size of the area from which troops would withdraw.

The Palestinians want Israel to hand over Jericho as well as the adjacent Bedouin village of Al Awja, and to remove the main army checkpoint at the entrance to Jericho.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, who met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's aide Dov Weisglass late Monday, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Israel agreed to hand over Al Awja and remove the main checkpoint. He said security commanders were meeting Tuesday to work out the details.

However, Weisglass said the issue was not raised in his talks with Erekat.

Israeli military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they were unaware of an agreement, but that commanders from both sides were holding more talks Tuesday.

Jericho will serve as an important model for the upcoming handover of four more West Bank towns. The Palestinians want to establish the precedent of troops withdrawing from areas, not only cities. In the past, Israel has withdrawn from Palestinian towns, but ringed them with checkpoints, severely restricting Palestinian travel.

Meanwhile, Israel's leaders grappled with opposition to a plan to evacuate the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank in the summer.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, returning to the West Bank after talks with militant groups in Gaza, said he hoped to present a new Cabinet in a day or two.

According to terms of the truce announced at a summit at the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheik, Israel is to hand over five towns, starting with Jericho and continuing with Tulkarem, Qalqiliya, Bethlehem and finally Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian government.

Unlike previous withdrawals, Israel is also supposed to remove roadblocks around the towns, allowing for more freedom of movement. During the four years of violence, Israel has erected dozens of roadblocks in the West Bank, explaining that they are necessary for security, but crippling Palestinian society and economic life as well.