Theos-Talk Archives (December 2001 Message tt00061)

>From associated press: 

Israel strikes Arafat's complex

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - Israel used bombs and missiles to pressure
Yasser Arafat to move against Palestinian militants, striking yards from
the leader's West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Two Palestinians were killed and about 150 were injured in the attacks.

The campaign stirred opposition from moderate Labor Party members of
Israel's ruling coalition, who boycotted a Cabinet vote on tougher
action against the Palestinians.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government said it was sending a stern
warning to the Palestinian leader that there would be even harsher
reprisals if he did not crack down on militants who have been attacking
Israelis.

"The purpose was to send a clear military message .... 'Friends, we've
had enough, take the responsibility that you have and stop the
terrorism," said the Israeli army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Ron Kitrey.

The air attacks came in response to weekend bombings and shooting
attacks on Israelis by Islamic militants that killed 26 people and
wounded nearly 200. Kitrey said Tuesday's raids targeted Palestinian
Authority installations because the Islamic militants' headquarters "are
secret and cannot be hit in this type of attack."

Arafat, speaking to CNN after the airstrike on his Ramallah compound,
accused Sharon of trying to undermine his efforts to combat terrorism.
The Palestinian Authority has rounded up some 130 members of the
militant Islamic Jihad and Hamas groups since the weekend, and
Palestinian officials said the sweep would continue despite the Israeli
raids.

Arafat told ABC News that Sharon wants to destroy the Palestinian
Authority and "kill the leaders of the Palestinians."

He also said that U.S. envoy Anthony Zinni won't respond to his calls,
and he appealed to President Bush to order the mediator to speak with
Arafat.