Israeli Army on Alert as Palestinians Mark One-Year UprisingIsraeli security forces are on high alert Friday as Palestinians are preparing to mark their one-year intifada, or uprising, against Israeli occupation.The uprising broke out a year ago when the then Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon entered a disputed Judaic and Islamic holy site of the Temple Mount, known to the Muslims as the al-Haram al-Sherif, or the Noble Sanctuary, in the Old City of Jerusalem. During the year-long bloody conflicts, nearly 800 people, mostly Palestinians, have been killed and the Palestinian economy has suffered heavy losses. It is anticipated that demonstrations will be organized by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and other groups over the weekend. Israeli forces are on alert for Palestinian attacks on soldiers and settlers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and suicide attacks inside the Israeli side of the Green Line, the actual control line before the 1967 Middle East War, reports here said. On Thursday, four Palestinians were killed and at least 27 others wounded in clashes with Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip. The violence occurred despite an agreement reached at Wednesday's meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to uphold the newly established ceasefire and to resume security cooperation. |
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