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Israeli tanks and troops pulled out of Qalqilya and Tulkarem yesterday, redeploying troops in blockades around the two cities. Meanwhile, fighting between Israeli and Palestinian forces continued in Jenin, Nablus and Bethlehem, the blockade of
Palestinian stronghold Ramallah remained in place and Israeli forces entered more Palestinian towns including Anabta, Dura, Kabatiya and Yata.
More than four Israel Defense Forces divisions, totaling thousands of troops, are involved in the West Bank offensive. The operations include a tight closure on many Palestinian towns, patrols and closures of many roads, and the protection of Israeli settlements scattered throughout the territory.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that Israeli tanks, troops and bulldozers launched an incursion into Palestinian areas near Beit Hanun, in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli police also went into high alert in the Negev region of southern Israel, reportedly responding to warnings of potential terrorist strikes.
Despite calls from U.S. President George W. Bush, Israel is not ready to end its offensive. The current military campaign was designed to stop Palestinian suicide bombers and break the Palestinian will to fight. At least 2,000 Palestinians have been arrested and 600 have been released, the Jerusalem Post reports, citing Israeli military officials. But it is not clear that Israel has succeeded in disrupting the infrastructure supporting Palestinian militants.
Israel’s withdrawal from two West Bank cities could be interpreted as a wrapping-up operation, in preparation for a pullback during U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell’s upcoming visit, now scheduled for Friday. However, the combined actions of Tuesday – including entry into several villages – also can be seen as evidence of continued sweeps and unchecked advance into Palestinian territories.
While signs in the West Bank suggest the campaign is continuing, it also is possible that Israel is preparing for an offensive in Gaza. If Israeli soldiers move into Gaza in force, they likely would not be able to wrap up such a massive operation before Powell’s scheduled arrival.
The action in Gaza during the next two days will be a key indicator of how Israel plans to shape its relationship with the United States and of its battlefield strategy.
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