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.
