(Communicated by the IDF Spokesman)
In meetings held last night, March 15, 2005, between IDF officers and representatives of the Palestinian Authority, in accordance with a directive by the political echelon, the agreement upon the transfer of the security responsibility over the city of Jericho to the Palestinian Authority was finalized. According to the agreement the responsibility over law and order in the village of Uja will be transferred to the Palestinian Authority while the part of route 90 which passes through Uja will remain under Israeli security responsibility.
The IDF views the transfer of security responsibility as a coordinated and gradual process, which will take place on grounds of confidence-building measures. The success of the process depends on the commitment of the Palestinian security forces to a joint fight against terrorist activity.
The IDF remains committed to the welfare and security of the citizens of the state of Israel at all times, and will continue to operate to fulfill this commitment.