Airstrikes Targeted at Palestinian Security Apparatus: Israeli Army

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 04, 2001

Airstrikes Targeted at Palestinian Security Apparatus: Israeli Army

An Israeli army spokesman said on Tuesday that Palestinian National Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat was not the target of earlier Israeli airstrikes, but the Palestinian security apparatus.

An Israeli army spokesman said on Tuesday that Palestinian National Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat was not the target of earlier Israeli airstrikes, but the Palestinian security apparatus.

Ron Kitrey told CNN that the strikes were intended to "hit thosewho were involved directly in supporting terror. They are planning or involved in planning or executing terrorist activities..."

He said that one third, or about 70, of Israeli deaths during the past 14 months of bloody conflicts were killed by Palestinian policemen and security apparatus.

Israeli warplanes and helicopter gunships Tuesday launched new missile attacks at the Palestinian presidential palace, a barrack of the Force 17, the headquarters of the Palestinian Preventive Security Force and Gaza Police Force in Gaza City and targets in the West Bank cities of Ramallah, Tulkarm and Qalqilya.

One missile exploded at the gate of the Palestinian presidentialpalace in Ramallah when Arafat was in his office. But Arafat was unharmed.

However, two Palestinian civilians were killed and more than 150injured, 60 of them children, during the Israeli attacks on Gaza City.

In an exclusive interview with CNN, Arafat said that the real motive behind the Israeli escalation of the conflict was to hamper the chance of renewing peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

Arafat also said that he remained committed to cracking down radical militants in the Palestinian territories, adding that Israeli air strikes have made it more difficult for him to carry out such arrests.

Israeli Cabinet Declares PNA Terrorism Supporter

Israeli Troops Seize Gaza International Airport