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Israel's expected handover of the second West Bank city of Tulkarm to Palestinian control on Monday was in doubt due to last minute disagreement between security officials over details of the Israeli pullout, Palestinian sources said.
The sources said Sunday evening's meeting between military officers from both sides broke up over Israel's refusal to give Palestinians security control of several villages north of the city. The Palestinians demanded that Israel withdraw from those villages which were under full Palestinian National Authority (PNA) control before the outbreak of the Palestinian uprising in September 2000.
Israel has so far rejected the Palestinian demand, saying the Islamic Jihad cell that carried out a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv on February 25 operates from the villages. Five Israelis were killed in the attack.
Earlier Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said the handover of Tulkarm would take place Monday, and were ready to transfer Qalqiliya as well.
Palestinian source said the two sides would meet again on Monday to try to resolve the dispute.
Israel handed the West Bank city of Jericho to Palestinian security control last Wednesday.
(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2005)
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