Israeli Tanks Roll Into Ramallah, One Woman Killed

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

Israeli Tanks Roll Into Ramallah, One Woman Killed

At least one Palestinian was killed early Friday by Israeli troops gunfire as more than 30 Israeli tanks entered the West Bank town of Ramallah, medical and security sources reported.

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At least one Palestinian was killed early Friday by Israeli troops gunfire as more than 30 Israeli tanks entered the West Bank town of Ramallah, medical and security sources reported.

Eyewitnesses and security sources said that the Israeli army tanks stationed only several meters away from Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's headquarters in the town, Palestinian security sources reported.

The medical sources said that one 22-year-old Palestinian woman was killed and 10 were injured as Israeli troops opened fire at several houses around Arafat's headquarters.

Gunbattles between Palestinian militants and Israeli infantry troops in the town and around Arafat's headquarters, said the sources.

The security sources and eyewitnesses said that dozens of Israeli tanks, armored vehicles and infantry troops started early Friday another large-scale military operation in the town.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a top aide to Arafat, said that the Israeli government of Ariel Sharon is responsible for the military escalation against the Palestinians, and responsible for the deterioration in the security situation.

Rudeineh confirmed the reports, which said that several tanks are surrounding Arafat's main headquarters. He added that fierce armed clashes are taking place between Arafat's special guards and the Israeli troops.

He said that Arafat is staying at his office in Ramallah together with several Palestinian National Authority officials andministers, where his office is completely surrounded by Israeli tanks and troops.

Sources at Arafat's headquarters said that Arafat is disconnected from the outside world and that Arafat's personal safety is in danger.

Eyewitnesses said that they are heavy gunfire as the Israeli military operation is still going on.

The Israeli army operation against Ramallah is in retaliation to a suicide bombing attack carried out by a Hamas militant in the northern Israeli city of Netanya on Wednesday, where 20 Israelis killed and dozens wounded.

Palestinian sources said that about 30 tanks entered the town and stationed about 200 meters away from Arafat's headquarters.

The Israeli army raid on Ramallah came as the Israeli cabinet met and decided whether to launch a military campaign against Palestinian militants, following the suicide bombing in Netanya on Wednesday.

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