Israel Withdraws From More Territory

On Friday, November 20, 1998, Israel began to transfer 2 percent of the territory it controlled in the West Bank, or some 44 square miles, to joint control with the The Palestinian Authority. In addition, Israel will hand over 7.1 percent of the land it holds in the region from joint to sole Palestinian control. Once completed, the pullback will give the Palestinians full or partial control of an additional 9.1 percent of the West Bank, or 204 square miles. The withdrawal transferred 28 towns and villages around the city of Jenin to full or partial Palestinian control.

The Israeli Cabinet approved the first of three Israeli redeployments called for under the Wye accord by a vote of 7-5 with three abstentions after ministers decided that the The Palestinian Authority had met its initial obligations under the land-for-security accord.