Pact Paves Way for W. Bank-Gaza Link

Israel and the Palestinians agreed to establish a land link between the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The 28-mile “safe passage” route through Israel--scheduled to open next week--will enable Palestinians for the first time to travel relatively freely between the two areas they control. The route is part of the interim peace accord reached in September. Palestinians, particularly those once held on suspicion of anti-Israeli activity, were consistently denied permission to travel through Israel, and even when permits were granted, they were usually valid for only a few days. Under the new arrangement, everyone is eligible for a yearlong travel permit. The agreement will also enable Palestinians to travel the route in their own cars.