Palestinians, Israel Reach Deal on Ending Church Standoff

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, May 06, 2002

Palestinians, Israel Reach Deal on Ending Church Standoff

Palestinian and Israeli negotiators reached a long-awaited deal Sunday night to end the standoff at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity that began on April 2, according to Palestinian sources.

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Palestinian and Israeli negotiators reached a long-awaited deal Sunday night to end the standoff at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity that began on April 2, according to Palestinian sources.

The sources said the two sides agreed to deport six of the wanted militants to Italy for four years, and to send about 40 others to the Gaza Strip.

The sources also said that a top aide to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Mohamed Rashid, is on his way to join the talks, bringing with him positive answers from the Palestinian leader.

Rashid left for Italy on Sunday night to coordinate the arrival of the six Palestinian militants with Italy.

Ibrahim Abayat, leader of the Fatah armed wing Al Aqsa Martyrs'Brigade, was among the six who will be deported, said the Palestinian sources.

One of the militants holed up in the church told reporters that the militants had received instructions to leave the church in the coming few hours.

Arrangements are underway to prepare for taking the 46 militants out of the church, deporting six of them, and bringing the rest to the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian sources said Arafat issued instructions to Palestinian police and security forces to redeploy in the West Bank and Gaza Strip towns to prevent any protest demonstrations against the deal.

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