IDF soldier in Bethlehem – Things will change soon
צילום: איי אף פי
Bethlehem handover next week
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz instructs IDF to start preparations for transfer of security control over West Bank town to Palestinian Authority; Qalqiliya expected to be transferred to Palestinian control a week later
TEL AVIV - Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has instructed the IDF Thursday to prepare for the transfer of security control over the West Bank town of Bethlehem to the Palestinian Authority as early as next week.
During a meeting with senior security officials, Mofaz also said the army should be ready to hand over another West Bank town, Qalqiliya, in two weeks.
The latest decision comes during the most sensitive junction in the relative lull in violence that has prevailed in recent months, after the IDF intensified its counter-terrorism operations against the Islamic Jihad following a string of attacks on Israeli targets.
During Thursday’s session, Mofaz said IDF officers who maintain contacts with their Palestinian counterparts at all levels must continue to demand the PA confiscate the weapons of wanted terror suspects. Otherwise, the IDF would be forced to perform that task, the defense minister said.
Islamic Jihad threatens
The pledge to hand over Bethlehem was made by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in a talk with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas earlier this week.
Mofaz also said the IDF should prepare for the implementation of the apparent solution to the razing of evacuees homes in the Gaza Strip, with the Palestinians being tasked with the cleanup.
The decision to hand over more Palestinian towns comes amid Islamic Jihad threats to offer a harsh response to what it calls the “Israeli manhunt for activists.” The group says Israel has detained 300 Islamic Jihad members in recent days and killed many others.
