Israeli forces are currently operating in PLO-controlled Ramallah in an effort to inflict further damage on the town\'s terrorists infrastructure. Troops are going from house-to-house in search of wanted terrorists. So far 20 Arabs have been taken into custody.
Infantry soldiers, backed by tanks, entered Ramallah early this morning and surrounded Yasser Arafat\'s Mukata Compound. Troops also took control of a building used by foreign news agencies. Two soldiers were lightly wounded by Arab gunfire while they were conducting searches.
In addition, troops last night carried out operations in Tul Karem, Kalkilya, and in the Hevron region, making a total of nine arrests.
In related news, the General Security Service (GSS/Shin Bet) has lifted a gag order and announced that a senior member of Yasser Arafat\'s Force 17, Bashar Said Kamal Hatib, was arrested by soldiers during Operation Defensive Shield. Hatib was behind several terrorist attacks including the September 13, 2001 attack at Wadi Charamiya in the Binyamin Regional Council District that claimed the lives of three Israelis.
Infantry soldiers, backed by tanks, entered Ramallah early this morning and surrounded Yasser Arafat\'s Mukata Compound. Troops also took control of a building used by foreign news agencies. Two soldiers were lightly wounded by Arab gunfire while they were conducting searches.
In addition, troops last night carried out operations in Tul Karem, Kalkilya, and in the Hevron region, making a total of nine arrests.
In related news, the General Security Service (GSS/Shin Bet) has lifted a gag order and announced that a senior member of Yasser Arafat\'s Force 17, Bashar Said Kamal Hatib, was arrested by soldiers during Operation Defensive Shield. Hatib was behind several terrorist attacks including the September 13, 2001 attack at Wadi Charamiya in the Binyamin Regional Council District that claimed the lives of three Israelis.