Withdrawal Of Israeli Troops From Palestinian Town Of Qalqilya Completed

The withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Palestinian town of Qalqilya on the West Bank of the Jordan river was completed by this morning. According to earlier reports, the Israeli army units moved to their previous positions - to the so-called "demarcation line" and are now on the territory of Israel itself. This notwithstanding, the Israeli army is still stationed in some other Palestinian regions of the West Bank, in the so-called A zone which is under full control of the Palestinian National Authority in keeping with the Norwegian agreements. As before, they ensure "the full ring of blockade" around Ramallah, Jenin and Tulkarem. According to some information, during the past few hours the blockade of Ramallah even intensified. The Israeli army units entered the A zone on the West Bank of the Jordan river about three weeks ago after the assassination of Minister of Tourism Rehavam Ze'evi by Palestinians in Jerusalem, as it was pointed out, to eliminate the terror structure, to arrest the commanders involved in terrorist activity, and to hamper penetration of terrorists into Israeli territory. The Israeli servicemen took the Palestinian towns in a full ring of blockade thereby creating hosts of additional difficulties to the Authority. According to some information, the problems in supplying the population with foodstuffs and in providing the hospitals with medicines and dressing have been felt there during the past few days.