(26 Dec 1995) Natural Sound
Hundreds of Palestinian police have taken up positions in villages around Hebron after the withdrawal of Israel troops.
It leaves just two West Bank towns under Israeli control as the transition to Palestinian self-rule enters the final phase : Hebron itself and Ramallah.
Hebron is one of the West Bank's most volatile towns.
Crowds started celebrating the night before the Palestinian police were due to relieve the Israeli troops of their duties.
For the first time in 28 years the local people offered the departing Israeli soldiers gifts of flowers.
This took place outside the Dahariya prison, a place many had come to know and dread.
But on this day of celebration the bitter past appeared to be forgotten - rejoicing villagers gave some of the soldiers olive branches to tuck in their clothes or attach to their guns.
After hours of waiting the cheering crowds were rewarded with the sight of the Palestinian police arriving by the bus load.
The buses were covered with flags and pictures of PLO leader Yasser Arafat and met with the roaring crowds' approval.
Hanging out of the windows and waving their weapons, the police greeted the people that lined the road.
One of the Palestinians' first priority was to raise their own flag at the former Israeli headquarters.
The formal handover from Israeli to Palestinian control took mere seconds. Israeli army commander, Colonel Gadi Shani shook hands with police commander Brigadier General Abdel Zaaydi and wished him luck.
Finally in a column of jeeps the Israeli troops left the area, leaving the people to continue their celebrations.
Inside the headquarters the Palestinian police walked the prison corridors, going through an interrogation cell.
Their role is to enforce law and order inside the populated areas while joint Israel and Palestinian patrols will control roads leading into the villages.
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