July 1, 2003	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 30, 1424

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GAZA CITY, June 30: Israeli forces staged a partial withdrawal from the Gaza Strip on Monday as an armed offshoot of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s Fatah movement agreed to a truce in a major boost for the US-backed roadmap.

Palestinian security forces returned on Monday to the positions they held in the Gaza Strip before the outbreak of the 33-month uprising, as Israel removed all major checkpoints in the coastal territory.

Israel also returned control of Gaza’s main highway following a truce declaration on Sunday by four Palestinian militant groups, marking the first major progress under the US-backed roadmap aimed at ending the bitter conflict.

The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed offshoot of Fatah, later became the fifth group to pledge to respect the ceasefire, but a foreign worker was shot in the West Bank in an attack claimed by one of its branches.

A Palestinian security source said police officials took up their positions across the Gaza Strip, enjoying a freedom of movement they have not known since the intifada exploded in Sept 2000.

“Palestinian police have taken over all the posts and positions they held before Sept 28, 2000. It is the first time they have had freedom of movement with cars and weapons since the start of the intifada,” he said.

The move marked a huge step forward in carrying out the “roadmap”, which aims to end the months of bloodshed and create a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Israeli troops withdrew from the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanun on Sunday night and Palestinian police took up positions there and in the neighbouring town of Beit Lahiya.

The Israeli army stormed Beit Hanun two months ago to crush militant groups.—AFP