Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has told President Bush that Israeli forces will withdraw from most areas of the West Bank, except for Bethlehem and Ramallah, within a week. Sharon made this promise late Monday during a phone conversation with Mr. Bush. A White House spokesperson stated that the President considered Mr. Sharon's commitment a positive development. Earlier, Prime Minister Sharon had told CNN that Israel would withdraw from most cities in the West Bank within a week; however, forces may remain longer in Ramallah and Bethlehem. On the other hand, Mr. Sharon stated that Marwan Barghouti, a close aide to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat who was arrested by Israeli forces on Monday, would be tried in Israel. Mr. Barghouti has apparently been on Israel's wanted list for allegedly managing terrorist attacks.
Israel Will Withdraw from Most West Bank Cities Within a Week - 2002-04-16
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced that Israeli forces will withdraw from most West Bank cities within a week, excluding Bethlehem and Ramallah. This statement was made during a phone call with President Bush, who viewed it as a positive development. The article also mentions the arrest of Marwan Barghouti, a key figure linked to terrorist activities.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Ariel Sharon announced Israel's withdrawal from most West Bank cities, except Bethlehem and Ramallah.
- Ariel Sharon announce West Bank cities
- Israeli forces arrest Marwan Barghouti
- Israeli authorities indict Marwan Barghouti
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Israel's withdrawal signals a potential shift in military engagement in the West Bank.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%