Israeli choppers hit strategic targets throughout West Bank, Gaza

RAMALLAH — Israeli attack helicopters have launched an offensive against Palestinian Authority security installations throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip amid increasing casualties in Palestinian attacks.

"Tonight's operation is a part of the Israeli army's active effort to hit those responsible for the escalation of the violence directly," the army said. "The headquarters which were attacked were training and preparing gunmen who carried out hundreds of shooting attacks at army forces and civilians."

Apache and Cobra helicopters fired missiles at positions of the ruling Fatah party loyal to PA Chairman Yasser Arafat as well as PA installations in Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus and in Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip, Middle East Newsline reported. The targets included the casino in Jericho, regarded as one the biggest sources of revenue for the PA.

An Israeli army statement said the helicopters struck at Arafat's security forces. These included the Fatah's armed Tanzim movement and Force 17, the pretorian guard of the PA chairman. The headquarters of Force 17 was struck in Gaza, the statement said.

Officials said the attacks reflected Israel's aim to quell Palestinian violence and force Arafat to impose restraint on his forces. They said Israel has intelligence has monitored Arafat and his security chiefs.

"We could have inflicted many casualties on the other side," Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh said. "We demonstrated we can hit a window and floor in a building."

A PA statement said Israeli helicopters struck the Red Crescent Society as well as Force 17 offices in Rafah and Khan Younis, Al Bireh, Ramallah and Betunia. "We call upon the United Nations, the international community, the Arab summit and the Islamic summit that would be held in Qatar to witness the Israeli aggression that would threat peace and security in the Middle East," the statement said.

The Israeli attacks prompted massive Palestinian demonstrations and calls for revenge. "I repeat that it will be painful and excruciating if they continue this war of aggression against the Palestinian people," Fatah leader Hussein Sheik said.

PA officials said that hours before the attack the PA released nine Hamas militants from prison. The Hamas detainees were allowed to leave by PA officials.

The tougher Israeli response came amid an increase in Palestinian violence. On Tuesday, Palestinian snipers fired at the Jewish settlement of Efrat south of Bethlehem and at Israeli forces outside Ramallah.

Attacks resumed on Israeli installations in the Gaza Strip and one Palestinian was killed and another was mortally injured. In response, Israel closed the Gaza airport operated by the PA.

Earlier, Palestinian attackers shot and killed an Israeli security guard and critically wounded another in eastern Jerusalem. The guards were posted at the offices of the National Insurance Institute.

Arafat said the Israeli helicopter attacks will not deter the Palestinians from continuing the fight for a Palestinian state. Regarding a declaration of a Palestinian state, Arafat said a PLO committee will convene on Nov. 15 to decide the issue. Arafat did not say whether a state would be declared on that date.

But in Moscow, the Palestinian envoy to Russia, Khairi Oridi, said a Palestinian state will be declared between Nov. 15 and Jan. 1.