Israel withdraws from two West Bank towns

Israel has begun pulling its army out of two West Bank towns in the first sign of an end to the 12-day invasion that has drawn condemnation worldwide.

However, as soldiers and tanks withdrew from Tulkarem and Qalqiliya before dawn, more troops, tanks and helicopters invaded the small southern West Bank town of Dura, where witnesses reported the sound of gunbattles.

Israeli forces entered Tulkarem and Qalqiliya about a week ago in a major offensive that quickly left most of the Palestinian population centres in the West Bank under Israeli control. However, soldiers met with little resistance in the two towns, unlike in other cities, where fierce fighting was reported.

A statement issued by the Israeli Government last night said the departing troops will maintain a cordon around the two Palestinian towns. Israeli Defence Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said the operation in Tulkarem and Qalqiliya was a success, with weapons seized and suspected Palestinian militants taken prisoner.