Israeli troops removed a key roadblock and pulled out of the quiet, Biblical town of Jericho today, handing control to the Palestinian Authority. "From this moment we are resuming our control over the Jericho area," said Palestinian General Ahmed Eid after shaking hands with his Israeli counterpart in a brief ceremony. The pullout was delayed for weeks because of a dispute over security arrangements and a deadly suicide bombing in Tel Aviv. Israel will withdraw from Tulkarem in Samaria next week. Under a cease-fire agreement, Israel is supposed to handover three additional towns, Ramallah, Kalkiliya and Bethlehem. The Palestinians have promised to prevent terrorist attacks from territories under their control.