Arafat Confirms Order to Ban Palestinian Fire at Israeli TargetsPalestinian leader Yasser Arafat confirmed Friday in Gaza City that the Palestinian High Security Council had issued an order to prevent Palestinian gunmen from shooting at Israeli targets.Arafat told reporters after Friday's prayers that "we will try our best to prevent any of our elements from firing ... and these are clear orders from the Palestinian High Security Council." This was the first time for Arafat to openly demand stopping firing from the Palestinian territories at the Israeli troops or the Jewish settlers. Few days ago, Arafat, also chief of the council, instructed Palestinian security forces not to exchange fire with the Israeli troops. However, a Fatah member said in the West Bank that Arafat can not prevent the Palestinian gunmen from firing at Israeli targets because the ongoing Palestinian uprising is "initiated by the people." Ongoing clashes between the Palestinians and Israeli troops in the Palestinian territories have claimed over 200 lives, mostly Palestinians and left thousands others wounded since it broke out on September 28. |
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