The return of Palestinian evacuees

Israel on Sunday permitted 16 Palestinians expelled from the West Bank to return back to Gaza since 2003 to return back to their houses.

News reports in the Palestinian territories said that it is proved the evacuees did not take part in operations against Israel. It said that other evacuees from Bethlehem will be returned with the city's return back to the Palestinian authority.

The Associated Press reported today that another 500 Palestinian were to be freed today in a "good-will gesture."

Meantime, the Israeli military spokesman announced permitting a new batch of 600 Palestinian workers and 300 traders from Gaza to head for Israel as from yesterday ( Sunday) so as the number of Palestinians permitted to work in Israel increased to 1600 and number of Palestinian traders permitted to move increased to 800.

For his part, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Oreikat announced that several joint Palestinian- Israeli committee met on Sunday to discuss issues pertinent to the wanted, the evacuees and the withdrawal.

Oreikat expressed his hope that Israel will implement what was agreed upon during Sharm al-Sheikh summit and the Palestinian- Israeli meetings especially the withdrawal from areas in the West Bank, stressing that the Palestinian- Israeli agreement states the return back of all evacuees to Gaza or Europe.