Israel halts West Bank pullout after bombing

Israel has delayed withdrawing from some Palestinian towns after a bomb attack on a Jewish settlement.

Israel has delayed withdrawing from some Palestinian towns after a bomb attack on a Jewish settlement.

Although it has pulled out of Qalqilya, soldiers remain in parts of Jenin, Ramallah and Tulkarem.

Mr Raanan Gissin, a senior aide to Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon, said a pullout from Jenin, at the northern edge of the West Bank, was delayed after a bomb exploded in a Jewish settlement nearby.

Three Israelis were injured, one seriously, when the bomb went off in the makeshift cafeteria at a factory.

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The Islamic Jihad has admitted responsibility.

Mr Gissin said Israeli forces may pull out of Ramallah next. It is the West Bank centre of Mr Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority.

Israel says its advance into the West Bank has achieved its goal of halting terror attacks and rooting out suspects.

PA