GAZA Ñ Heavy fighting continues along the Egyptian border with the Gaza Strip amid plans to resume a security dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian authority.

Palestinian sources said five Palestinians were killed on Wednesday and Thursday in clashes near Rafah and other areas of the Gaza Strip. Israeli troops destroyed six Palestinian buildings used for arms smuggling near the Egyptian border.

Israel has submitted a list of 108 names for the Palestinian Authority to arrest on charges of attacking Israeli targets. PA officials said they doubted Chairman Yasser Arafat would order the arrests.

The sources said Arafat's Fatah movement and the Islamic opposition have opposed Arafat's agreement for a ceasefire. Overnight Friday, Palestinian gunners fired mortars toward Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinians also fired toward Israeli motorists outside Jerusalem.

Israel has agreed to a series of measures meant to ease restrictions on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. This includes ending the siege on cities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and the freedom of movement between Palestinian areas.

Israeli security sources said Arafat's combatants tried to destroy an Israeli army post near the Egyptian border before the Arafat meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres on Wednesday. The sources said part of the outpost was destroyed and Israeli troops tried to repair the installation.

The fighting has drawn a harsh U.S. response. The U.S. State Department called on Israel to stop destroying Palestinian homes and entering PA territory.

Print this Article

Email this article

Free Headline Alerts