JERUSALEM Ñ The Israeli government has declared the Palestinian Authority a terrorist entity in a move that opens the way for the toppling of the regime led by Yasser Arafat. In Washington, the Bush administration said it had not approved or disapproved the action

Hours later on Tuesday afternoon, Israeli attack helicopters and combat jets destroyed Palestinian targets in several cities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In Khan Yunis, Israel destroyed the the Palestinian Authority security headquarters in that Gaza city.

Other Israeli military targets were located in Gaza City, Bethlehem, Jenin, Ramallah, Salfit and Tulkarm. In Ramallah, Israeli aircraft rocketed the PA Interior Ministry near Arafat's office. Arafat was not injured, PA officials said.

"The government has determined that the Palestinian Authority is an entity that supports terrorism, and must be dealt with accordingly," a Cabinet statement said on early Tuesday.

But the Cabinet provided an exit for Arafat. Ministers agreed that the determination that the PA is a supporter of terrorism could be reversed if the PA "fulfills its commitments, according to the agreements, to prevent and foil terrorism, punish terrorists and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure."

The Israeli Cabinet decided on a range of operations against the PA. The operations Ñ which were not detailed Ñ are to include diplomatic, economic, information and military measures. Labor Party ministers led by Foreign Minister Shimon Peres walked out of the meeting and did not participate in the vote.

In Washington, the Bush administration refrained from support or criticism of the Israeli attacks on the PA. But spokespeople stressed that President George Bush did not approve the Israeli actions during his Sunday meeting with Sharon.

"There was no green light asked for, there was no green light given," State Department deputy spokesman Philip Reeker said. "This isn't a game of Red-Light-Green-Light."

Under the Cabinet decision, Arafat's militias were deemed terrorist organizations. They included the Fatah military wing and the Force 17 praetorian guard. Officials said Arafat Ñ whose helicopter fleet was destroyed by Israel on Monday Ñ would not be allowed to leave the Palestinian areas.

"The message is that nobody is immune," Internal Security Minister Uzi Landau said.

Officials said Israel has reviewed its policy of assassination and will target Palestinian figures regarded as political leaders. This could include Fatah chief Marwan Barghouti.

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