The Israeli cabinet has agreed to a handover of more than 6% of the West Bank to full Palestinian control. The decision paves the way for the renewal of United States-brokered peace talks on Tuesday. The handover will bring land under full or partial Palestinian control to 39.8% of the West Bank. Prime Minister Ehud Barak's office said that the transfer will take place on Tuesday, more than two months later than scheduled under last year's Sharm el-Sheikh interim peace accord. The cabinet vote was 16 for to six against, with one abstention.
The handover of the West Bank land was held up by disagreements with the Palestinians over which areas the Israeli military would evacuate, setting off a month-long impasse in peace talks. After the handover, Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority will have full control over 18.1% of the West Bank and will also have administrative authority over a further 21.7% where Israel will retain security control. The transfer covers several areas throughout the West Bank from Hebron in the south to Jenin in the north.
