GAZA - Palestinian Authority security forces deployed in central and south Gaza today, and they are set to complete their positioning in the area over the weekend.
Palestinian forces are already situated in north Gaza and are preventing Qassam rocket and mortar fire toward Israel.
Thousands of Palestinian police officers and security personnel arrived at central and south Gaza today, in accordance with the agreements reached between the IDF and Musah Arafat, the commander of the Palestinian security forces in Gaza.
The deployment of Palestinian forces in the area is meant to prevent mortar fire at Jewish settlements in the Gush Katif settlement bloc and south Gaza.
Palestinian Authority officials say they hope the imminent completion of Palestinian deployment in south and central Gaza and the subsequent halt of Qassam rocket and mortar fire would facilitate the IDF’s withdrawal from Gaza.
However, as opposed to the Palestinian deployment in north Gaza, the Palestinian Authority may encounter resistance from a number of armed groups in central and south Gaza, such as Abu Rish Brigades and the Samahanda family in Rafah.
A Palestinian officer told Ynet discussions are being held with these groups to bring an end to rocket and mortar fire emanating from the area.
IDF sources say they are pleased with the Palestinian deployment in Gaza and with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’s discussions with terror organizations, which have brought about relative peace and quiet.
“He does not speak two different languages; he conveys identical messages,” one source said. ”He is involved in what is going on, and it evident his intentions are serious; however, we must remember the situation is still delicate and fragile.”
As a gesture to the Palestinian efforts, the IDF has opened the Karni crossing in north Gaza for a few hours to allow Palestinians to transfer agricultural produce intended for export.
Karni crossing was shut down two weeks ago following a terror attack that took place there.
A mortar shell was fired at an IDF outpost near a Jewish settlement in south Gaza last night; no injuries were reported.
Sharon expresses optimism
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak spoke to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon last night and congratulated him on the positive atmosphere in the Middle East due to Israeli-Palestinian dialogue.
Earlier, Sharon said the recent developments show there is change within the Palestinian Authority.
“The conditions on the ground are leading to a breakthrough with the Palestinians, which will lead to peace and security,” he said. “The signs are encouraging, but they have to stand up to the test.”
Sharon said Israel is prepared to make concessions, but it would not compromise its security.
“If the Palestinians would operate in a comprehensive manner to stop the terror, the violence, and the incitement, we would be able to move forward in our talks to implement the Road Map,” he said. “We may even be able to coordinate different aspects of the disengagement plan with them (Palestinians). We are willing to go far.”
In a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London yesterday, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Israel’s goal is “to fully withdraw from Gaza and from every Palestinian city in the West Bank by the end of 2005”.
Senior Palestinian official Mohammed Dachlan said in an interview with Reuters Israel has agreed in principal to withdraw IDF forces from Palestinian towns in the West Bank.