Israel agreed to allow 56 deported Palestinians to return to the West Bank, Israeli and Palestinian officials confirmed Saturday.
The list includes Palestinians exiled abroad after holing up in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity in May 2002. "There was an agreement reached in principle that all Palestinians deported ... will return to their homes," Palestinian Negotiations Minister Saeb Erekat told Reuters, adding implementation was expected within two weeks.
An Israeli official confirmed the deal, saying it was reached as part of a truce declared by Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas at a summit in Egypt on Tuesday.
"These terrorists will be allowed back in on condition they undertake to abandon violence and live under close Palestinian Authority supervision," the Israeli official said.
Under a May 2002 deal to end its standoff with fugitive fighters who took refuge in the traditional site of Jesus's birth, Israel deported 26 of them to the Gaza Strip, and 13 to Europe.
