Israel Begins Withdrawal Amid U.S. Truce Effort
Israel began to withdraw troops overnight from recently occupied Palestinian areas in a move which could serve as a precursor for a new U.S.-brokered truce effort to end 18 months of bloodshed. President Bush told reporters in that Zinni was "optimistic we are making some progress in the Middle East" after the envoy hosted talks between Israeli and Palestinian security chiefs which paved the way for the pullout. Let's just hope Israel is not the only party making compromises to secure this truce. Submitted for your battle for Jerusalem files.