Israely troops withdraw from the West Bank

Israeli military officials decided to delay the anti-terrorist operation. Israel's more moderate Foreign Minister Shimon Peres explained the delay by telling the Jewish state was "not looking for a plain military victory. We are looking for an opening of a political road." Experts say plans for the Gaza offensive were altered because of leaks that cost the Israeli military the element of surprise. More than 60,000 demonstrators have turned out in Tel Aviv for a massive peace rally and to demand Israel withdraw from the Palestinian territories. President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah met in Egypt to discuss a joint approach to resolving the Middle East crisis.