Syrian Army Agrees to Withdraw from Israel Territory; Will Demolish Fortifications

Syrian troops were today scheduled to withdraw from a height in the Tel Azziziat area, near Kibbutz Dan. The evacuation was promised at a seven-hour meeting of the mixed Israel-Syrian armistice commission yesterday.

The area was declared a demilitarized zone by a sub-committee of the body which was formed eight months ago and which completed its work last Monday. The evacuation and destruction of military fortifications there must be completed by April 4, at which time the U.N. chairman of the commission will check for compliance.

The commission also discussed the capture of three Israel fisheries inspectors by the Syrians last month, but again reached no decision. By a majority vote, the commission declared a violation of the armistice the arrest and kidnapping of an Israel oitizen by Syrian troops near Tel Hamma recently. Also dealt with was the problem of providing police for the demilitarized areas between Israel and Syrian positions.

At an informal meeting of the Israel-Transjordan mixed armistice commission in Jerusalem today the Arabs pressed a complaint that Israel forces crossed into Transjordan-held territory in the Beit Jibrin area of Southern Palestine. The incident occurred last Monday when Israel police forces engaged a band of Arab marauders and inflicted casualties on them before they fled. All members of the commission agreed to begin an investigation of the incident tomorrow morning, with Israel, Transjordan and U.N. representatives participating.

At another Israel-Transjordan meeting–the joint commission for the reuniting of Arab families in Israel–it was agreed that the next entry of Arab dependents into Israel would take place March 30. Thus far 63 Arabs have applied for repatriation with this group. Israel delegates also requested that all applications for repatriation be filed with the commission by March 30.