GAZA Ñ Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat has been forced into a confrontation with Fatah gunmen in the southern Gaza Strip.

Arafat has been pressed by the United States and Israel to submit a deadline for an end to the violence in Rafah, along the border with Egypt.

Israeli military positions have been under constant attack by Palestinian forces who have helped smuggle weapons and combatants into the Gaza Strip.

Earlier, said Arafat said he would not arrest any Palestinians involved in the eight-month-old war against Israel.

On Saturday, Arafat launched the first drive to stop the attacks on Israeli troops. He sent PA officers to end the mortar and machine-gun fire by members of his ruling Fatah party and the Islamic opposition.

The attempt angered the dissident gunmen and they began spraying fire in all directions. The result was the killing of a 12-year-old Palestinian and the injury of three others.

Arafat also organized demonstrations against the Fatah and Hamas gunmen said to be behind the attacks on Israeli troops. The Palestinian attacks have been carried out by militias under the command of the Abu Samhadaneh family.

The family is heavily involved in gun-running and drug-trafficking between Egypt and Israel. The Arafat-appointed military governor of Rafah is also a member of the family.

Palestinian clashes with Israeli troops took place in other areas of the Gaza Strip, including Rafah. A Palestinian rode a donkey laden with explosives toward an Israeli position in an unsuccessful attempt to blow up Israeli soldiers.

Later, Palestinian sources said a second 12-year-old Palestinian boy was killed and three Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire during a clash near the Jewish settlement bloc of Gush Katif.

On Monday, Palestinian gunners fired mortars toward the Katif settlements. Nobody was hurt.

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