Home>>World
Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, June 06, 2002

Israeli Tanks Fire on Arafat Compound Today

Israeli tanks firing heavy machine guns rumbled into the West Bank city of Ramallah early on Thursday and opened fire on the headquarters of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, Palestinian security sources and witnesses said.


PRINT DISCUSSION CHINESE SEND TO FRIEND


Israeli tanks firing heavy machine guns rumbled into the West Bank city of Ramallah early on Thursday and opened fire on the headquarters of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, Palestinian security sources and witnesses said.

They said Arafat was in the compound, but safe in his quarters despite continued firing from Israeli forces.

The raid followed a Palestinian car-bombing which killed 16 people in northern Israel on Wednesday. The Palestinian Authority rejected Israel's charge, repeated after every such attack, that Arafat was responsible. The militant group Islamic Jihad said it had carried out the bombing.

Hours after the bombing at Megiddo, Israeli tanks swept into Jenin, a West Bank city six miles away and a militant stronghold that Israel says has been a frequent springboard of suicide missions across the "Green Line" boundary.

Palestinian security officials condemned the bombing and said they had started to hunt for the militants thought to have been behind it.

Israeli military sources confirmed "activity" inside Ramallah, but said more information would be given after daybreak.

Muffled booms, which sounded like the impact from shelling, could be heard in Jerusalem in the early hours of Thursday about six miles south of Ramallah.


Questions?Comments? Click here
    Advanced






Arafat Firmly Supports Middle East Peace Conference

Sharon Confronts U.S., Egypt Envoys Over Arafat's Status

Israelis Approach Arafat's Office





 


Japanese, Chinese Economy Combined to Overtake US in 20 Years ( 91 Messages)

US Taiwan Acts Jeopardize Sino-US Ties: Analysis ( 64 Messages)

'Kunlun' Jet-engine to Power China's Airforce ( 14 Messages)

China Wins Contract to Build Another "Three Gorges" Dam in Africa ( 8 Messages)

China's Economy will be World's Second-largest by 2030: Report ( 12 Messages)

Asymmetric Trial of Strength: Commentary ( 4 Messages)



Copyright by People's Daily Online, all rights reserved