Israeli infantry and armored forces have responded to the new wave of suicide bombing attacks by surrounding the headquarters of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat and raiding Gaza City.
On Thursday, five Israelis were killed and more
than 50 were injured in a Palestinian suicide bombing on a passenger bus in
Tel Aviv.
Hours after the attack, some 15 Israeli tanks and armored personnel
carriers surrounded Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah. An Israeli bulldozer
destroyed 10 structures, mostly mobile homes, that housed Arafat's guards, Middle East Newsline reported.
Israeli military sources said the Israeli force demanded the surrender
of 19 fugitives holed up in Arafat's compound. The fugitives include the
commander of Arafat's praetorian guard, Mahmoud Damra, and General
Intelligence chief Col. Tawfik Tirawi.
Palestinian sources said 20 people left Arafat's compound overnight
Friday. The sources said they did not know whether any of those who
surrendered to the Israeli force were those wanted by Israel. A Palestinian
officer was killed in a shootout with the Israeli troops.
The United States has sent an appeal to the PA to hand over the 19
Palestinians to Israel, the sources said.
Israeli troops also entered Gaza City overnight Friday and destroyed 34
buildings and structures. Israeli military sources said the buildings in
Gaza City contained seven weapons factories. Palestinian sources reported
that two Palestinians were killed in the Israeli operation.
The Israeli retaliation came during a Cabinet meeting to discuss the
resumption of suicide attacks in the Jewish state. Israeli authorities
imposed a blackout on details of the session.
"Israel is in the midst of a difficult and continuing war against
abominable and brutal terror, which is being led by the chairman of the
Palestinian Authority, who has established a coalition of terror," a Cabinet
statement said. "This is a war in which Israel will continue to show
determination and stamina and in which Israel will be victorious."
Hamas said it plans to continue suicide missions in Israel amid the
isolation of Arafat. The movement claimed responsibility for the Tel Aviv
suicide bombing.
Islamic Jihad also vowed to continue suicide operations. Jihad claimed
responsibility for a suicide bombing in northern Israel on Wednesday.
