Voice of Israel Radio today quoted government sources as saying that Yasser Arafat has chosen to escalate terrorist activities with the goal of prompting Israel to strike back fiercely; such a response, Arafat hopes, would mean the cancellation of the unilateral Israeli cease fire that has been in place since last Tuesday night. Sources in the Prime Minister\'s Office say that Mr. Sharon does not plan to respond harshly at present. This approach was confirmed by Sharon spokesman Ra\'anan Gissin, who told BBC news today that the government plans to give Arafat \"one more chance\" to honor the cease fire. Some 72 Arab terrorist attacks have been executed throughout Israel since the cease fire began, ranging from drive-by shootings, to the firing of mortar shells, to the detonation of car bombs.

At least two government ministers are opposed to continued restraints. Tourism Minister Rechavam Ze\'evi today called on Prime Minister Sharon to immediately put a halt to the cease fire. Public Security Minister Uzi Landau stated that the government should exert non-stop military pressure against the Palestinian Authority in order to crush the terror. Sharon has called a security mini-cabinet meeting for this afternoon to formally discuss Israel\'s response. Prior to the meeting, he will meet with US envoy William Burns to discuss the implementation of the Mitchell Committee findings.