Removing the encirclement around the city of Jenin
IDF SPOKESPERSON ANNOUNCEMENT 1 January 2004

In the framework of the IDF's efforts to ease the living conditions of the
Palestinian population, not involved in terror, and following security
assessments, the IDF has removed today the encirclement around the city of
Jenin, allowing pedestrian and vehicle passage from the city of Jenin to
other parts of the West Bank.

Following many alerts on terrorists intention to carry out attacks in Israel
from the city, Jenin was encircled recently. With the removal of the
encirclement, Jenin joins the cities of Tulkarm, Qalqilia, Ramallah,
Bethlehem and Hebron, where there is free access in and out of the cities.

In a meeting held prior to the removal of the encirclement between the
region commander and his Palestinian counterpart, the region commander
announced the intentions to remove the encirclement. Nevertheless the region
commander stressed that the IDF will not accept the Palestinian terrorist
organizations taking advantage of the easements.

This meeting is one of many held frequently between brigade commanders in
the West Bank with their Palestinian counterparts, in order to clarify the
IDFs' policy and intentions, aiming at allowing the Palestinian population
to keep their lifestyle intact.

The IDF will continue to lead a focused war on terror while at the same time
do everything within its power to allow the Palestinian population not
involved in terror to lead a normal life.