Posted on 03/31/2002 7:54:00 PM PST by GeronL
IDF Surrounds Arafat's Office
"Many world leaders called me today to ask whether Arafat is holed up in two rooms, or in three," Prime Minister Sharon said today. "That's what interests them, and not the number of civilians murdered in the terrorist attacks." The Prime Minister convened his security cabinet this afternoon, where military leaders presented their operational plans. In light of the wave of terrorism, it was decided to step up the offensive. Mr. Sharon will address the country at 8:30 PM this evening.Arch-terrorist Yasser Arafat is still under IDF siege in his Mukata complex in Ramallah, but Israel emphasizes that it has no intention of harming him. Gunfire was exchanged between Israel Defense Forces troops and Arafat's bodyguards today, and although the Israelis have not entered Arafat's building, they are in control of adjacent buildings. They broke down at least one wall in Arafat's office complex for the purpose of collecting intelligence information. Israel has allowed food and medical supplies into Arafat's office. PA sources say that two of Arafat's bodyguards have been wounded, and negotiations are underway with the Red Crescent regarding their evacuation. It has been reported, though not with certainty, that the murderers of Minister Rehavam Ze'evi, as well as the man who organized the purchase of the Karine-A weapons ship, are inside the compound.
IDF spokesman Ron Kitri said today, "We are guided by a clear directive to avoid hitting Arafat," but that the Palestinians themselves are endangering their Chairman: "Wherever you play with fire, if you're not careful enough, you can get burnt… He is not sitting in a monastery. He is sitting surrounded by heavily armed men, whether they are his bodyguards or - according to our information - important fugitives… This is obviously a complicated situation."
The IDF's Operation Protective Wall is now into its third day, featuring the call-up of some 20,000 soldiers over the weekend. The major offensive is taking place in Ramallah, where dozens of tanks continue to surround Arafat's headquarters. The army announced that anyone seen armed with a weapon would be fired upon without hesitation, and called on PA security personnel and others to put down their weapons and surrender; hundreds of persons came out with their hands up. Soldiers cautiously ordered the detainees to lift their garments to ensure they were not carrying explosive devices. Some 10-20 Arabs have been killed in the fighting; two Israeli soldiers were killed on Friday (see below). The electricity supply in the Mukata compound has been on and off to the compound and nearby Ramallah areas.
The IDF forces uncovered many vast illegal weapons caches in and near Arafat's office, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles. These included many Law (Light Anti-Tank Weapons) rockets, RPG shoulder-held rockets, anti-tank rockets, US-manufactured shotguns, automatic weapons, electronic surveillance devices for tracking Israeli military movements, detailed diagrams of local Israeli bases, large stashes of ammunition, and night vision equipment stolen from the IDF. Dozens of Arab suspects were taken into custody, including many PA security officials - and the driver who killed two young Beit El mothers three years ago in a hit-and-run collision; the PA had always refused to hand him over to Israel. Hundreds of others were rounded up and taken for "routine" interrogation; in previous similar incidents in Tul Karem and Jenin, the vast majority of them were released after a few hours.
Despite the siege situation, a number of pro-P.A. activists and journalists managed to walk into Arafat's office, embrace him, and hear him call for international intervention. He made no mention of the continued murderous attacks on Israeli civilians. The army afterwards declared the area a closed military zone
Massacre In Haifa, No One Killed In Efrat
A suicide terrorist - one of "thousands," according to threats by enemy leader Hamas terrorist Abdel Aziz Rantisi - blew himself up this afternoon inside a restaurant on a highway in the northern coastal city of Haifa. The number of dead currently stands at 15, with some 35 wounded - eight in serious condition. Among the casualties are both Jews and Arabs. Security forces had been on high alert in nearby areas for a possible attack, and the police even closed a portion of Highway 4 between Hadera and Netanya for two hours this morning. The police and local officials call on restaurant and small-business owners to station armed guards outside, and Haifa Mayor Amram Mitzna even signed an order - a half-hour before the explosion - to close down those that do not.At approximately 5 PM, another suicide bomber detonated himself in the Gush Etzion town of Efrat. The explosion occurred at the Magen David Adom emergency medical service "jump-off" point, and one young paramedic-in-training is in serious condition. Several others were lightly hurt.
A resident of Efrat, Nadia Matar, said that Prime Minister Sharon should realize that the majority of the people are with him, and that "the government unity with Shimon Peres is fake. Peres does not represent Israel. National-unity is [meanwhile] just a slogan. If Sharon really wants unity, he has to dump Peres and do what the majority of the Jewish people wants... in order to save Jewish lives, even if Peres and a few of his traitor-friends don't agree."
Wonder if they will make it permanent?
List of dead in Haifa attack
(IsraelNN.com) On Sunday afternoon, close to 3:00pm, a suicide terrorist detonated an explosive device in the Matza restaurant in the N’vei Sha’anan neighborhood of Haifa. 14 persons were killed over 30 wounded. 16 remain hospitalized this morning. Following are the names of the 13 of the 14 victims cleared for publication.All of the victims are from Haifa:
1) Dov (Vadav) Tcherenbroda, 67,
2) Shimon Koren, 55,
3) Ron Koren, 18 (son of Shimon),
4) Gal, 15 (son of Shimon),
5) Avial Ron, 54,
6) Anat Ron, 21, (daughter of Avial),
7) Ofer Ron, 17, (son of Avial),
8) Orly Ofir, 15.5, of Haifa,
9) Danielle Mentchell, 22,
10) Carlos Vegman, 50,
11) Moshe Levine, 52,
12) Yaakov Shani, 52,
13) Suhil Adawai, 30, from Turan (in the Galil)
News Shorts
(IsraelNN.com) The suicide bomber responsible for the attack in a Kiryat Yovel supermarket on Friday at 1:55pm was a 16-year-old Arab female.The Yomam commandos operating in Elon Moreh on Thursday night managed to bring over seven persons to safety, bringing them out of the house taken over by the terrorist via a ladder placed at a second floor window. The terrorist murdered four members of the Gavish family.
Terror victims Tuvia Vizner of Petach Tikvah and Michael Orlansky of Holon, murdered in a knife attack in the Gush Katif community of Netzarim on Friday morning, were visiting family members who live in the community. The two Holocaust survivors were on their way to morning prayers when the lone terrorists stabbed them to death.
The PA’s official Internet website had been down for reasons that are unknown at this time. http://www.pna.net/
you say the world is getting rid of her demons
i say "baby, what have you been smoking ?"
They keep asking about Arafats saefty. He's not in danger, he's not being targeted. Children, women and civilian men are being targeted by Arafat..
Lets face it, they are a buffer zone between us/western civilazation and the Islamic sickos
THIS IS "ISOLATION"???
What the f**k is wrong with Sharon? This is obviously the work of Peres giving Arafag such freedom. Sharon has got to leash this self-hating skunk or risk undermining the mission.
Maybe if Netanhyu(sp?) was in office things might be different and Arafat would be dead already.
The leftists have already laid the predicate for our own 'freedom fighters' and the 'oppressed'.
HAMAS is already surveying it's herd of 'jihadists' within the Black Muslim sect. When 'hope' [reparations] is dashed, they will be taught how to operate the explosive belts.
It won't be the Middle Eastern sleepers who will be called to martyrdom, but the home-grown black jihadist!
Donald Rumsfeld was right on the money when he said that Arafat has done nothing for his people. It is even more sickening that he assumes these military titles only to cower in a basement like a scared little mouse and then squeaks, "call me General". Go ahead, Mr. Sharon -- Arafat wants to play soldier -- don't disappoint him!
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