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Israel stopped from invading Gaza, hits Arafat HQ instead

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Thursday, June 6, 2002

TEL AVIV Ñ Israel's military is being restrained from invading Palestinian-held areas of the Gaza Strip in wake of a suicide bombing that killed 17 Israelis.

But the army obtained government permission to enter the headquarters of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat in Ramallah. Israeli troops returned to Arafat's complex overnight Thursday and briefly took up positions.

Military sources said Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, under U.S. pressure, has again turned down appeals from Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Shaul Mofaz to launch a widescale offensive against insurgency strongholds in the Gaza Strip. The sources said Sharon and senior Cabinet ministers approved limited operations in the West Bank.

"Sharon feels that the military has enough authority to launch any operation anywhere in the West Bank," a military source said. "There is no need for another massive offensive."

On Wednesday, 17 Israelis were killed when a suicide attacker blew up his car full of explosives next to a packed passenger bus in northern Israel. Thirteen of those killed were soldiers.

The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack. The group is sponsored by Iran.

Overnight Thursday, Israeli troops entered the complex of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat in Ramallah and in the ensuing fighting one Palestinian was reported killed. The troops blew up a southern wing of the complex in which Arafat was not present.

In all, six buildings were blown up. By Thursday afternoon, Israeli troops, tanks and bulldozers withdrew from the area.

Earlier, Israeli troops stopped Palestinian insurgents in Gaza Strip from infiltrating Israel. One insurgent was killed in Israeli army fire and the other fled.

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