Posted on 04/02/2002 9:48:29 AM PST by maquiladora
The IDF operations in the West Bank continued for the fifth consecutive day Tuesday, after troops entered the West Bank cities of Tul Karm and Bethlehem on Monday night, as part of "Operation Defensive Wall."
The Al-Jazeera television station reported Tuesday evening that IDF tanks had entered the West Bank town of Jenin. According to Palestinian eyewitnesses, twelve tanks entered the city and a large number of troops were stationed outside of the city.
Muhammad Rashid, an advisor to Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, claimed Tuesday that West Bank Preventive Security Chief Jibril Rajoub had violated orders when activists in his Beitunia headquarters surrendered to IDF troops.
According to IDF claims, 200 Palestinian activists holed up in Rajoub's Beitunia headquarters surrendered to IDF troops, as was agreed by the two sides. According to the IDF, an additional 200 activists were still inside the headquarters, including individuals wanted by Israel.
Earlier Tuesday it was reported that all 300 Palestinian staying in Rajoub's headquarters, near Ramallah, left the compound with their hands raised and surrendered themselves to IDF troops.
A senior Preventative Security official said that according to a U.S.-brokered cease-fire, the Palestinian activists will be detained by Israel for 24 hours to determine whether any of them are wanted by Israel.
Security sources say that Rajoub is providing shelter to dozens of militants on Israel's wanted list.
Earlier Tuesday morning, Israeli tanks and helicopters shelled the complex. There were also reports of heavy gunfire in and around Bethlehem's Manger Square, with about a dozen Palestinian gunmen taking cover behind buildings and firing assault rifles at Israeli tanks deployed some distance from the square, according to live footage broadcast on the local Shepherds TV station. Israeli tanks fired heavy machine guns at the armed Palestinians.
Palestinian sources said that Israel demanded that those inside the headquarters surrender themselves. Several Hamas and Fatah commanders, including experts in the preparation and dispatch of suicide bombers, are said to be inside the complex, some of who came from the Gaza Strip.
Speaking to Israel Radio, however, Rajoub denied that leading Fatah figure Marwan Bargouti was inside the complex. "It's only a matter of minutes or hours until it becomes clear that Marwan Bargouti is not inside the complex."
Rajoub added that, "I did not educate my people to surrender to anybody. That's not our attitude and not our culture. I cannot give any order other than to fight to the last bullet."
The operation came about after Prime Minister Ariel Sharon applied pressure. Several security officials objected to the operation, saying that Rajoub is one of the last Palestinian leaders that Israel is able to engage in negotiations.
On Monday evening, troops took up positions around the cities in preparation of the move. This is the fourth time over the past few months that the IDF has entered Tul Karm, although it is the first time that reserve soldiers have been used.
Vatican emissary in Israel, Archbishop Pietro Sanbi nullified reports that Catholic priest Jacques Amateis, 65, was killed while holding a mass session with nurses in the Saint Mary's convent in Bethlehem. Sanbi told Israel Radio that the priest and nuns were not harmed and that the convent was working together with the IDF to safely evacuate Amateis and the nuns.
Earlier Tuesday the Roman Catholic Missionary Service News Agency (MISNA) and Palestinian sources had said that confirmation of the priest's death had been received from a Jesuit priest who worked in Bethlehem and who was a friend of Amateis.
This should be over in a couple of weeks.
Doesn't the word "Islam" mean surrender, submit, or something like that?
It will become clear that Bargouti is not inside as soon as Rajoub pops him in the back of the head and has his body dumped outside, hoping that this will make the Israelis go away and give Rajoub and Co. a chance to go home and change their underwear.
West Bank Preventive Security Chief Jibril Rajoub
So that's his job, preventing security? Well, he deserves a promotion - to Hell
I see those brave Arab men who send 18 year old girls to blow themselves up aren't so eager to become martyrs themselves.
Yes, it means submit, as in "submit to our religion, or else"
Islam is a Ponzi scheme, a chain letter. The early submitters get to abuse the remaining infidels. That's one reason why it is such a popular prison conversion religion. Submit to a bit of discipline now, and then you can kick ass on infidels later. Very seductive for a certain type of minsdet.
Well, cultures and attitudes can change!
Too bad the US won't work that efficiently against Al Quaeda, and it's a shame that politics prevent our enlisting the Israelis' assistance.
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