JERUSALEM (Islamweb & News Agencies) - Israeli tanks, armor and occupation troops held on to Palestinian-ruled areas in the northern West Bank on Tuesday, despite pressure from Israel's closest ally, the United States, for an immediate withdrawal.Washington said it was encouraged by Israel's pullout on Monday from Bethlehem -- revered as the birthplace of Jesus -- and nearby Beit Jala where some of the fiercest fighting has taken place since Israel's offensive began almost two weeks ago.
But the United States renewed its call for Israel to withdraw forces from other Palestinian-ruled West Bank areas taken after Palestinian leftist Resistance men assassinated a far-right cabinet minister in revenge of Israel's assassination of PFLP leader, Abu Ali.
``We want to see this (withdrawal) begin, continue on a day-to-day basis. We want to see it go through...immediately,'' State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said in Washington.
The United States wants calm between Israel and the Palestinians so that it can pursue its military campaign in Afghanistan without complaints from Arab and Muslim countries.
Israeli officials said they had no intention of carrying out further withdrawals from areas in and around the West Bank cities of Ramallah, Jenin, Tulkarm and Qalqiliya until Palestinian President Yasser Arafat started fighting what they call 'terror'.
Top level security talks aimed at facilitating a pullout ended in failure on Monday night, Israeli and Palestinian officials said.
``It seems the Israeli side has a political position not to withdraw from the Palestinian cities,'' said Palestinian security official Haj Ismael Jaber. ``Nothing was new in the meeting.''
Washington also called on Arafat to arrest militants. The Palestinian leader is in Rome for a meeting with Pope John Paul and talks with senior Italian officials on Tuesday.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Palestinians gather outside the el-Khemeh restaurant, on Nativity Road, damaged by heavy machinegun fire and an occupation army earth-mover, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Monday, Oct. 29, 2001. The bibilical town of Bethlehem, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, has suffered millions of dollar in damage from fighting in Israel's occupation army incursion, which ended late Sunday night. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)
- Oct 29 11:33 AM ET