Several killed in explosion at Arafat HQ

RAMALLAH — At least two people were killed when an explosion ripped through the headquarters of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat in Bethlehem.

Israel denied that it was behind the blast and PA sources said the explosion appeared to be that of a natural gas tank. Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Nasser said the explosion stemmed from cooking gas canisters.

Arafat was not in Bethlehem during the blast on Thursday afternoon. The headquarters also contains the offices of Arafat's Force 17 praetorian guard.

Witnesses said Force 17 soldiers were evacuating ammunition and equipment from the building.

Several people were said to be injured. PA forces and Fatah gunmen fired throughout the city and toward Israeli motorists nearby in a show of force.

Israel offered to provide help to evacuate the wounded, but the PA refused, officials said.

Near Nablus, four Israelis were wounded in a Palestinian shooting attack on a mountain outside the city. The Israelis were in a tour bus on their way to a Jewish holy site on Mount Ebal.

Israeli soldiers returned fire and Palestinian sources said one Palestinian was killed and three others were injured.

Witnesses said Israeli air force helicopters flew to the scene of the fighting but were unable to land to evacuate the wounded.