Israel has proposed a gradual withdrawal from occupied West Bank cities where it sees Palestinian security forces making serious attempts to prevent militant attacks, a high-ranking Israeli official said Saturday. The proposal was raised last week in the first direct meeting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon held with Palestinians in nearly a year and came as the United States steps up preparations for a possible strike on Iraq. Washington has repeatedly appealed to Israel and the Palestinians to rein in violence ahead of any military action it may take in the Gulf. Full Story