"As of today, Palestinian security forces will be able to extend their
hours of operation in the cities of Ramallah, Kalkilya, Bethlehem and
Jericho in order to better deal with criminal activity and maintain public
order in the cities," an Israeli military statement said on June 25.
The statement said the decision was reached in wake of a June 24 meeting
between PA security commanders and their Israeli counterparts. The meeting
was said to have focused on coordination between the two forces around West
Bank cities.
The sources said the demand was drafted by U.S. security envoy Lt. Gen.
Keith Dayton. They said Dayton wanted the 1,500 troops trained in 2008 in
Jordan, who comprise three battalions from the National Security Forces and
Presidential Guard, to take over security responsibility for major West Bank
cities over the next year.
Israel has been wary of the U.S. program to bolster PA security forces.
On June 26, the Israeli daily Mekor Rishon reported that Hamas operatives
have infiltrated PA forces trained under Dayton. No details were provided.
Regardless, Israel has refrained from security operations in much of the
northern West Bank, particularly Jenin. Officials said the Israel Army has
long stopped operating on a regular basis in Jericho and Ramallah.
"The Israel Defense Forces wishes to clarify that the responsibility for
maintaining security in the region has not been transferred from the IDF,
and that the IDF will continue to operate within Judea and Samaria in order
to thwart terrorist operations," the military said.
In the second stage of Dayton's plan, officials said, the Israel Army
would withdraw from other West Bank cities, particularly Nablus and Tulkarm.
They said this could take place in late 2009.
The Palestinian Authority dismissed the Israeli military announcement. A
senior PA official said the Israeli move was meant to assuage the
administration of U.S. President Barack Obama, which has been pressuring
Israel to remove roadblocks and end military operations in PA-held areas.
