Israel attacks Arafat’s offices

Associated Press

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Israeli troops broke into Yasser Arafat’s West Bank office today and began destroying buildings, according to a Palestinian official, a day after a Palestinian blew up a huge car bomb next to a bus, killing himself and 17 Israelis.

The incursion into Ramallah came exactly five weeks after U.S. intervention helped lift a 34-day siege of Arafat’s headquarters and amid talk of renewed action against the Palestinian leader.

Israeli tanks and armored personnel carriers broke a huge hole in the outside wall of the city-block size compound, Israel Radio reported, and sent bulldozers inside to knock down structures. The radio report said Israel did not intend to harm Arafat.

Troops entered the compound and began destroying intelligence offices about 200 feet from Arafat’s office, a senior Palestinian security official said. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The Israeli military said it acted amid "a wave of Palestinian terrorism sweeping the state of Israel," including the bus attack. It said Arafat’s Palestinian Authority is "directly responsible for terrorism that originates in its territory."

Several ministers have demanded that Israel expel Arafat, and Israel’s media have speculated that another major terror attack would prompt such an action. But other Israelis warn that an expulsion would lead to chaos and more violence.

Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat told CNN that he’d spoken to Arafat by phone, and the Palestinian leader was safe. "But there was heavy shelling, heavy shooting. I could hear it over the phone, he said.

"This is a major, major escalation and I hope that we can have the Americans and Europeans intervening immediately," Erekat said.

Israel Radio reported that Israel did not intend to harm Arafat. It said that Israeli forces included giant bulldozers, which were knocking down buildings. The area was declared a closed military zone, banning civilians from entering, and a curfew was declared in the area.

A senior White House official said the United States was neither asked for nor did it grant a "green light" for the Israeli action in Ramallah, though it did not appear to be helpful in the push for peace.

White House chief of staff Andrew Card said President Bush was notified of the Israeli action, adding that National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice was looking into the situation.

Israel’s stated goal of Arafat’s earlier confinement was to isolate him, but the virtual house arrest turned him into a heroic figure in the eyes of Palestinians and much of the Arab world.

The monthlong siege ended when Arafat agreed to place six wanted Palestinians in custody under U.S. and British supervision.

The suicide bombing Wednesday near the northern city of Megiddo was carried out by an attacker in an explosives-laden car moving in tandem with the bus — the first such attack in 20 months of bloodshed.

The Islamic Jihad group claimed responsibility and said the attack was timed to mark the 35th anniversary of the 1967 Mideast War, when Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem, claimed by the Palestinians.

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.