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Israeli forces confine Arafat to second floor
Israeli troops took over Yasser Arafat`s headquarters on Friday and a senior Palestinian official said the Palestinian leader was confined to the middle floor in his three-story office building.
Israeli troops took over Yasser Arafat's headquarters on Friday and a senior Palestinian official said the Palestinian leader was confined to the middle floor in his three-story office building.
It was Israel's opening shot in a large-scale military campaign in response to anti-Israeli attacks that killed 30 civilians in three days.
Israel TV said Israeli forces planned to confine Arafat to several rooms in his headquarters. Palestinian officials said phone links to the building and electricity were cut off after nightfall Friday.
After declaring Arafat an "enemy" on Friday, Israeli forces also seized the West Bank town of Ramallah, to which Arafat has been confined for four months. Five Palestinians and an Israeli soldier were killed in fighting in Ramallah.
Throughout the day, a defiant Arafat huddled with his closest advisers, as Israeli troops, punching holes through walls of adjacent buildings, moved closer to the Palestinian leader.
Arafat's guards exchanged fire with approaching Israeli forces. Over the course of the day, one guard was killed and 25 were wounded.
After nightfall, Israeli forces entered Arafat's three-storey office building, confining him to the middle floor, where he has his main office, dining room and sleeping quarters, said a senior Palestinian official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official said he was in contact with Arafat by cell phone.
Palestinian security officials said the generator was destroyed.
Maj. Gen. Yitzhak Eitan, commander of Israeli troops in the West Bank, said earlier Friday that troops were in control of compound, with the exception of Arafat's office building. He said large amounts of weapons were found and about 60 people were arrested.
Throughout the day, Arafat spoke by phone to a dozen world leaders and demanded immediate international intervention. His aides said the situation was very volatile and that Arafat's life was in danger. A submachine was place on the table in front of Arafat, as he spoke on the phone.
Arafat said he did not fear death and would not be cowed.
Bureau Report
It was Israel's opening shot in a large-scale military campaign in response to anti-Israeli attacks that killed 30 civilians in three days.
Israel TV said Israeli forces planned to confine Arafat to several rooms in his headquarters. Palestinian officials said phone links to the building and electricity were cut off after nightfall Friday.
After declaring Arafat an "enemy" on Friday, Israeli forces also seized the West Bank town of Ramallah, to which Arafat has been confined for four months. Five Palestinians and an Israeli soldier were killed in fighting in Ramallah.
Throughout the day, a defiant Arafat huddled with his closest advisers, as Israeli troops, punching holes through walls of adjacent buildings, moved closer to the Palestinian leader.
Arafat's guards exchanged fire with approaching Israeli forces. Over the course of the day, one guard was killed and 25 were wounded.
After nightfall, Israeli forces entered Arafat's three-storey office building, confining him to the middle floor, where he has his main office, dining room and sleeping quarters, said a senior Palestinian official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official said he was in contact with Arafat by cell phone.
Palestinian security officials said the generator was destroyed.
Maj. Gen. Yitzhak Eitan, commander of Israeli troops in the West Bank, said earlier Friday that troops were in control of compound, with the exception of Arafat's office building. He said large amounts of weapons were found and about 60 people were arrested.
Throughout the day, Arafat spoke by phone to a dozen world leaders and demanded immediate international intervention. His aides said the situation was very volatile and that Arafat's life was in danger. A submachine was place on the table in front of Arafat, as he spoke on the phone.
Arafat said he did not fear death and would not be cowed.
Bureau Report