Palestinian security force in Ramallah (Archives)
Photo: AP
Wanted Palestinians agree to lay down weapons
Palestinian information minister announces agreement by wanted Palestinians to refrain from violence in return for Israeli assurance of their safety
Wanted militants in the West Bank agreed to lay down their weapons in return for their guaranteed safety, according to an announcement by Palestinian Information Minister Riyad al-Malki on Monday.
Early last week, senior officials in the Palestinian security forces came to an agreement with sources in Israel, according to which IDF forces would refrain from raiding Palestinian towns and targeting wanted terror suspects, provided the latter lay down their arms and commit not to engage in terror activity.
Sources in the Palestinian Authority hoped the move, if completed, would lead to a significant advancement in the defense plan devised by the emergency government.
Al-Malki said the defense plan was moving along positively; several areas have already been cleaned up, and security officials were dealing with those who were breaking the law in other areas.
Palestinian officials estimated that once the problem with the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah's military wing, was solved, the defense plan could be completed successfully, and forces could begin to focus on preventing terror attacks by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.
