Arafat's Life in Danger: PNA Official

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

Arafat's Life in Danger: PNA Official

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's life would be endangered by the Israeli incursion into the West Bank town of Ramallah early Thursday, a Palestinian National Authority (PNA) official said.

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Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's life would be endangered by the Israeli incursion into the West Bank town of Ramallah early Thursday, a Palestinian National Authority (PNA) official said.

Supported by tanks, bulldozers and armored vehicles, the Israeli army entered Ramallah and besieged Arafat's compound in retaliation for a Palestinian suicide bombing attack on a bus in Israel's north on Wednesday, in which 18 Israelis were killed and dozens were injured, reports said.

Entering Ramallah and besieging Arafat's headquarters is"the plan of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to destroy the Palestinian National Authority and replace it by occupation and Israeli civil administration, " said Saeb Erekat, PNA cabinet minister.

Erekat said Arafat has asked him to immediately contact the United States, the Europe and the United Nations in order to stop the Israeli attack.

Israeli forces broke into Arafat's headquarters and destroyed its fences, eyewitnesses said. Fierce clashes are taking place between Arafat's guards and the Israeli soldiers.

Security sources said the tanks shelling destroyed Arafat's bedroom, a bridge that connects his bedroom with his office and a conference room that Arafat uses to hold meetings with diplomats and officials.

Palestinian security sources said dozens of tanks and armored vehicles entered Ramallah and besieged Arafat's headquarters, while more tanks are carrying out a wide incursion into the town.

Mustafa Brghouti, chief of the Palestinian Center of Studies and Researches, said this is the toughest Israeli incursion against Ramallah, adding that the Israeli army tanks and armored vehicles are planning to control the whole town.

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