After 12 hrs. of debate, the Israeli cabinet approves (11-7) the Hebron agmt. Half way into the debate, Netanyahu is forced to call a recess amid sudden confusion over U.S. guarantees, sparked by an Israeli news broadcast quoting an unidentified U.S. official as saying that Israel could not unilaterally decide how much of he West Bank it would turn over to the PA. State Dept. issues statement that "further redeployment phases are issues for implementation by Israel rather than issues for negotiation with the Palestinians." (MM, NYT, WJW, WP, WT 1/16; ITV 1/16 in WNC 1/17; CSM, NYT, WT 1/17; MEI 1/24)
Later in the day, the Knesset approves (87-17, with 1 abstention, 15 not present) the Hebron agmt. (MM 1/16; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/17)
IDF begins redeploying in Hebron. (MM 1/16; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 1/17)
U.S. special envoy Ross returns to the U.S. (WT 1/17; MEI 1/24)