JERUSALEM, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- The number of Israeli troops deployed in the West Bank is the lowest it has been in the past two decades, Israeli military officials said.
The reduction of Israeli soldiers deployed in the West Bank is mainly due to the pre-emptive capabilities of Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) operations, Haaretz said Sunday.
Greater cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian security forces has also contributed to the relative calm, Israeli military officials said, but noted the motivation of terror groups to perpetrate attacks against Israel remains high.
Officials told the newspaper that improved intelligence gathering capabilities has also succeeded in undermining terrorists' efforts to attack Israel.
While the number of battalions deployed in the West Bank has decreased steadily over the past four years, this year two additional combat battalions were reassigned elsewhere, the paper said.
The report noted that in an effort to enhance the freedom of movement of West Bank Palestinians, the army has removed scores of checkpoints and roadblocks in recent years.
