The area between the Palestinian Authority-controlled towns of Tul Karem and Jenin has been declared a closed military zone. The IDF\'s O.C. Central Commander Maj.-Gen. Yitzchak Eitan ordered the change as a result of the increasing number of terrorist attacks stemming from the areas of Jenin and Tul Karem. The practical result of the closing of the zone is that only persons with identification attesting to their residency in the area will be allowed to pass through. Violators will be immediately arrested and face criminal prosecution. In addition, the open-fire orders in the case of perceived threats to soldiers or civilians in the zone will be relaxed.
PLO leader Yasser Arafat, responding to the decision to close the zone, said that it constitutes a dangerous escalation, both militarily and politically. Arafat told reporters in Gaza that he is acting to prevent the closures of zones, which he said is intended to isolate various areas of Samaria from each other. The Palestinian Authority has called for Arabs in the isolated areas to confront the Israeli soldiers “with all available means.” An unnamed source in the Authority told the Voice of Palestine that the Israeli move is “racist” and dangerous enough to lead to regional conflagration.
PLO leader Yasser Arafat, responding to the decision to close the zone, said that it constitutes a dangerous escalation, both militarily and politically. Arafat told reporters in Gaza that he is acting to prevent the closures of zones, which he said is intended to isolate various areas of Samaria from each other. The Palestinian Authority has called for Arabs in the isolated areas to confront the Israeli soldiers “with all available means.” An unnamed source in the Authority told the Voice of Palestine that the Israeli move is “racist” and dangerous enough to lead to regional conflagration.