A Palestinian raises a Palestinian flag over Gaza's main highway

GAZA CITY, June 30 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Israeli troops withdrew late Sunday, June 29, from the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanun, as part of a deal aimed at implementing the U.S.-driven Middle East 'roadmap,' which aims to end 33 months of violence and establish a lasting peace.

The Israeli army on Monday, June 30, handed over control of the southern Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt to the Palestinians, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported according to security sources here.

The army also removed all major checkpoints in the Gaza Strip, allowing free movement for Palestinians along the trans-Gaza north-south highway for the first time in more than two years.

Under the redeployment deal reached Sunday, the main north-south road in the Gaza Strip will also be opened 24 hours a day, Palestinian sources said.

Palestinian men under the age of 35 will again be allowed to leave the Gaza Strip and a greater number of day laborers will be allowed to work in Israel.

Six Palestinian police officers were allowed to return to the Palestinian section of the border crossing, which had been taken over by Israeli troops shortly after the start of the Palestinian Intifada against the Israeli occupation in September 2000.

Under the 1993 Oslo accords, which granted a measure of autonomy to the Palestinians, the border crossing with Egypt was to be jointly managed by both Israel and the Palestinians, with each controlling a section of the crossing.

Although the crossing has been in principle open for movement between the two territories, the Palestinian section has been under Israeli control for more than two years.

Troops reopened the three major checkpoints along the north-south road: the Netzarim junction, just south of Gaza City, the central Kissufim junction in Deir al-Balah, and the Guest House junction just south of Deir al-Balah.

But Palestinian national security official Colonel Radwan Abu Khumsan accused Israel of violating the withdrawal agreement, saying the army had installed a gate at the Netzarim junction and was building a post just to the east of it.

A military sources confirmed Israel had installed the gate at the Netzarim crossing and at the southern Guest House junction but said that they were only there for time when Jewish settlers needed to use the road.

"It is not a checkpoint but a gate which the Palestinians control. At certain hours, when Israelis want to cross, they shut the gate to the Palestinians and allow them through," the source said.

Bethlehem

Israeli soldiers remove cement block barricades before their withdrawal from   Beit Hanoun

In another development, Israeli and Palestinian security officials were meeting Monday in Al-Quds (occupied Jerusalem) to discuss the forthcoming withdrawal of Israeli troops from the southern West Bank town of Bethlehem, Israel public radio said.

Attending the meeting was Palestinian security chief Mohmmed Dahlan and General Haji Ismail, head of police in the West Bank, the radio said, without saying which Israeli officials were present.

There was no immediate confirmation of the talks from either side.

On Saturday, June 28, the Israeli public radio said that Israeli occupation forces would also withdraw from the West Bank town of Bethlehem, but did not say when. 

The movement on the peace front coincided with a visit to the region by U.S. national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, who U.S. President George W. Bush has tapped to ensure his Middle East policy is implemented.

The Israel withdrawal came also after the two Palestinian resistance movements Hamas and the Islamic Jihad issued a joint statement declaring a three-month ceasefire.

They were followed hours later by the Fatah party of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and the leftist Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP).

The factions failed to produce a joint statement after differences emerged over the inclusion of a reference to the 'roadmap,' and the cease fire period.

However the declarations marked the most significant peace breakthrough since the internationally drafted blueprint was published two months ago.

The White House on Sunday welcomed the truce declaration, but said "terrorist networks" must be broken to insure a lasting peace.

"Anything that reduces violence is a step in the right direction," said White House spokeswoman Ashley Snee.

Minor Incidents

Israeli military sources, however, reported Monday only minor incidents in the Palestinian territories following a ceasefire declaration by militant groups.

In the southern Gaza Strip an anti-tank grenade was fired at an Israeli military position near the Jewish settlement of Neve Dekalim, and troops came under automatic weapon fire near Rafah, causing no casualties.

Bullets were also fired at a settlement in the Gush Katif bloc.

In the northern West Bank refugee camp at Tulkarm, Israeli army said they found an explosive belt they claim intended to have been worn by a Palestinian arrested last week.

Also in Tulkarm, a Palestinian security source said the Israeli army blew up the family home of Mussa Owa, the cousin of a Palestinian fighter arrested three days ago.