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An Israeli tank in Ramallah. Israeli troops entered the city early Monday morning. (AP)
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| By Ellis Shuman June 10, 2002 |
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Large contingents of Israeli tanks, armored vehicles, engineering units and infantry troops entered Ramallah early this morning, just hours before Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is due to meet with President George W. Bush in Washington. The Israeli forces surrounded Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat's Mukata government compound. Yesterday, Arafat announced his new cabinet, but Israeli officials said the Palestinian "reforms" were only "cosmetic."
Palestinian sources reported that dozens of tanks, accompanied by ground troops under the cover of IAF helicopters, entered Ramallah from a number of directions shortly before dawn. Gunfire exchanges broke out between Israeli troops and armed Palestinians in the nearby al-Amari refugee camp. A Palestinian, identified as Yassir Sawalha, 31, was killed and two Israeli soldiers were lightly injured. Some 20 Palestinians suspected of involvement in terrorist activities were arrested.
Army sources confirmed that an operation was underway in Ramallah, and that it was aimed at "arresting militants and destroying the terror infrastructure." The sources said the operation would be "limited in duration."
Israel Radio initially reported that the army had destroyed a number of buildings in the Mukata, partially damaged in a similar operation last Thursday. The IDF and Palestinian sources denied the reports. The army said it was surrounding the compound to prevent gunmen from entering. Palestinians inside the compound said that Arafat was safe, and was calling world leaders.
Israeli troops took over a building in the center of Ramallah that housed a number of foreign television networks and services, including Jordanian and Abu Dhabi Television, and Reuters Television, Israel Radio reported. Workers were reportedly barred from entering the building.
The Israeli operation came as Sharon was in Washington, just hours before he was to meet with President Bush in the White House. The timing of the operation "seemed startling," the New York Times reported, noting that "Sharon has often taken impetuous actions, notably in his 1982 invasion of Lebanon, which defined the future course of events."
"This operation is underway while Sharon resumes his visit to Washington. This shows that the U.S. administration supports this occupation and operation," charged Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo. He accused Israel of trying to undermine the Palestinian Authority as it was moving to make reforms.
"Is that the message from Washington, that Israel should abort the reform campaign and the new government before it even starts?" Abed Rabbo asked in an interview with Reuters.
Palestinians announce slimmed-down cabinet
Yesterday, Abed Rabbo announced the formation of a new Palestinian cabinet, composed of 21 ministers instead of the previous 31. There were a number of new faces, but many of Arafat's central core of supporters remained. "It will be a smaller, more effective cabinet," said Planning Minister Nabil Shaath.
Arafat named Abdel Razek Yehiya, 73, as Interior Minister, a position that "will be responsible for all the security issues inside the Palestinian territories (and) supervise all the security establishments," according to Abed Rabbo.
Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer reacted skeptically to the naming of Yehiya, saying it signified Arafat was not serious about reform. "This man represents the very old generation. So once again we have a commitment to the past and not to the future," he said.
Sharon's adviser Dore Gold said, "When the everyday security of the people of Israel is vastly improved, then we'll know there is real reform."
A senior Israeli diplomatic official told the Jerusalem Post that the Palestinian Authority cabinet reshuffle was a "preemptive strike" to disarm Sharon before his meeting with Bush. "Arafat will be judged by what happens on the ground, not what he says," the official said. "If from tomorrow there will be a complete cessation of terror, then we can say that the reforms are effective. But does anyone really believe that will happen?"
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