HEBRON, March 22: Israel dismantled a major checkpoint in the northern West Bank district of Tulkarem on Tuesday, signalling a transfer of security control to the Palestinian Authority (PA). The giant Anabta metal gate, which lies on the main road east of Tulkarem, is the major Israeli control point in the district and had been closed for since shortly after the Palestinian uprising began in Sept 2000.

As troops opened the 10-metre-high barrier, an Israeli officer shouted “Mabruk!” (Arabic for congratulations) to his Palestinian counterpart. The two-metre-wide gate, which is painted yellow and mounted on concrete blocks, has long controlled the main eastern entrance to Tulkarem.

Late on Monday, the Israeli army handed over control of the district to their Palestinian counterparts in what was the second security transfer in a week. Last Wednesday, Palestinians took over limited control in Jericho, which has been relatively quiet during the intifada.—AFP