Pursuant to the January 1993 agreement, Israeli forces withdrew from Jericho and the Gaza Strip in May 1994. The Palestinian National Authority under Arafat's leadership, assumed control of the areas.
Elections were promised for the West Bank but until they took place, Israel maintained military control over it. Palestinian autonomy was limited to control of taxation, communication, policing and travel documentation.
There were, on the other hand, some serious doubts about the PLO's ability to enforce its rule in the areas the Israelis had relinquished.
However, during al-Aqsa Intifada the Israeli troops have frequently been reoccupying and withdrawing from cities under the Palestinian authorities in both the West Bank and Gaza.