Israeli Attacks Might Shake Whole Middle East: Arafat

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, March 30, 2002

Israeli Attacks Might Shake Whole Middle East: Arafat

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat saidon Friday that the Israeli attack on the West Bank city of Ramallahand at his office would shake the whole area of the Middle East.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat saidon Friday that the Israeli attack on the West Bank city of Ramallahand at his office would shake the whole area of the Middle East.

Israeli tanks rolled into Ramallah early Friday and tried to break into Arafat's headquarters in the town, causing fierce clashes around Arafat's office.

Palestinian medical sources said that at least five Palestinianswere shot dead by Israeli troops and dozens injured in the clashes around Arafat's office between Arafat's bodyguards and the Israeli troops.

"This aggression is not only aimed at me, it is against the Saudi Arabian peace initiative and against all Arabs," Arafat told the Qatar-based Al Jazeera Television from inside his office. "So who is the terrorist, Palestinians or Arabs, Muslims and Christians."

Palestinian eyewitnesses said that Israeli troops seized a building which houses most of Arab and foreign media and press offices, including Al Jazeera, Abu Dhabi Televisions, Reuters and the Associated Press.

Palestinian sources said that while ordering all reporters and journalists to leave the building, a Palestinian cameraman who works for the Nile Television was seriously injured in the neck by Israeli troops' gunfire.

Asked if he would use his gun if Israeli troops break into his office, Arafat said "Every one of us would like to be a Shahid (Martyr), and I would tell all Muslims and Christians that mountains can never be shaken by storms."

Arafat said that Israeli troops destroyed three main gates of AlMuqataa compound and entered into it, adding that the soldiers are only few meters from his main office.

Arafat noted that the Israeli troops had already killed five people and wounded 41 others, adding that some people at his officewere also injured.

Arafat also said that the Israeli soldiers occupied several rooms and arrested a number of his bodyguards.

"We are not defending Palestine, we are defending the whole Arabnations," said Arafat.

Questions?Comments? Click here

>> Full Coverage