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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, March 29, 2002

Israel Declares Arafat 'Enemy' , Approves Wide-Scale Military Operation

The Israeli government has approved a wide-scale military operation against the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), an Israeli government source said.


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Israel's Cabinet on Friday declared Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat (news - web sites) an "enemy," Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) said after an all-night emergency session, ordering a call for military reserves and the full isolation of Arafat in his West Bank compound.

In a televised news conference after the all-night Cabinet session, Sharon listed the attacks that brought about the decision, starting with a suicide bombing in the seaside city of Netanya in Wednesday night at a meal for the Jewish Passover holiday, in which 21 guests were killed.

He also noted an attack Thursday night by a Palestinian gunman at a West Bank Jewish settlement, in which four Israelis were killed, and an incident that was still developing in the Gaza settlement of Netzarim, in which a Palestinian attacker stabbed two people to death.

Wide-Scale Military Operation
The Israeli government has approved a wide-scale military operation against the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), an Israeli government source said.

Earlier Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reportedly told hisministers that Yasser Arafat and the PNA are responsible for the terror attacks.

Palestinian sources have reported heavy exchange of fire with Israeli tanks advancing on Arafat's headquarters in the West Bank.

Israel Decides on "Absolute Isolation" of Arafat
The Israeli cabinet meeting has decided to carry out a policy of "absolute isolation" of Palestinian National Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, said an Israeli government source on Friday.

A Palestinian source said Israeli Defense Forces bulldozers are now demolishing fence ringing Arafat's compound in Ramallah, while there is heavy exchange of fire with Israeli tanks advancing on Arafat's headquarters in the West Bank.

Earlier the Israeli government has approved a wide-scale military operation against the PNA and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told his ministers that Arafat and the PNA are responsible for terror attacks.


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