The sources said Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered a plan for the
withdrawal of the Israeli military from most Palestinian cities in the West
Bank in 2009. They said the Barak plan outlines the cities and envisioned
date for withdrawal.
The plan was based on the expectation that the PA would be ready to
assume security responsibility for most or all Arab-populated cities in the
West Bank in 2009. The sources said at least four cities would be handed
over to the PA — Hebron, Kalkilya, Nablus and Tulkarm.
In October, the sources said, Barak briefed the two U.S. security
coordinators — Gen. Keith Dayton and Gen. James Jones -- of the Israeli
withdrawal plan. They said the plan was scheduled to be submitted to the PA
over the next few weeks.
Under the plan, the sources said, the Israeli military would gradually
remove troops and roadblocks around major West Bank cities. The sources said
the Israeli model would be the army handover of Jenin to PA security forces.
"The plan envisions both military and civilian efforts as well as
Western aid to each Palestinian city," the source said.
The sources said Hebron would be the first test of the Barak plan, also
submitted to Quartet coordinator Tony Blair. Israel has already approved the
deployment of 700 PA troops in Hebron, regarded as a leading Hamas
stronghold in the West Bank.
On Oct. 22, Israeli and PA commanders discussed the plan for the
deployment of Palestinian troops in Hebron. No agreement was announced.
"The two sides discussed the Palestinian request to conduct an extensive
enforcement operation against law breakers and rioters in the Hebron area,"
an Israeli military statement said. "During the meeting, the plan for the
enforcement operation was presented and the process of coordination during
the operation was agreed upon."