Khaleej Times, 8/21/02

BETHLEHEM - Palestinian police took control of Bethlehem early on Tuesday as Israeli forces pulled back from the West Bank town in a first step to ease the conflict, while an Israeli was shot dead by militants in Gaza, where the withdrawal is set to continue.

Under the "Gaza, Bethlehem First" plan agreed on Sunday, Israeli forces moved out of the autonomous town, which had been re-occupied in mid-June along with almost all of the West Bank after a spate of suicide bombings.

Both sides say the move is a first step in a gradual withdrawal aimed at easing tensions, alleviating the plight of the Palestinian population at large and eventually reviving the comatose peace process after almost two years of fighting.

The plan is the most significant security measure in almost a year, and foresees a progressive Israeli withdrawal from land it has re-occupied during the intifada, or uprising, if the reformed Palestinian security forces can ensure an end to attacks.

The withdrawal started despite sharp clashes earlier on Monday and was completed as the killing continued in Gaza and in the northern West Bank town of Tulkarem, where a Palestinian militant was killed Tuesday morning.

"The Israeli army withdrew from Bethlehem and has redeployed around the town. This redeployment aims to allow the Palestinians to act against terrorism and restore a normal life to the population," the army spokesman said in a statement. The army said troops would remain in positions around the town or at nearby roadblocks.

Israel fears that a single suicide bomber slipping through a roadblock to Jerusalem, just a few kilometres to the north would leave this initiative, like all it predecessors, in tatters. Palestinian officials told AFP that about 100 Palestinian police had arrived in a convoy of about a dozen jeeps from nearby Jericho, the only main West Bank town not reoccupied by Israel. - AFP