Ramallah is under curfew today, as IDF forces show no signs of letting up on the offensive they launched in the city around 3 AM this morning. Troops are conducting house-to-house searches for wanted terrorists - 27 have been taken into custody thus far - and tank and infantry surround Yasser Arafat\'s Mukata Compound. PA sources say that Israeli forces entered three police stations in the city and confiscated all the weapons there. The forces also took over Voice of Palestine Radio studios, an Abu Dhabi satellite station and Jordanian Television offices, and have blown up explosives labs. Two soldiers were lightly wounded by Arab gunfire, and one PA fighter has been killed.
IDF troops also carried out operations last night in Tul Karem, Kalkilya, and in the Hevron region, where they made a total of nine arrests. Of today\'s 36 arrests, at least nine are said to be of important terrorist leaders.
The General Security Service (GSS) has released for publication the fact that a senior member of Yasser Arafat\'s personal militia, Force 17, was arrested during Operation Defensive Shield. The man, Bashar Said Kamal Hatib, was behind several terrorist attacks including the Nov. 14, 2000 attack at Wadi Haramiya in Binyamin that claimed the lives of Sara Lisha, El\'ad Valenstein and Amit Zana.
IDF troops also carried out operations last night in Tul Karem, Kalkilya, and in the Hevron region, where they made a total of nine arrests. Of today\'s 36 arrests, at least nine are said to be of important terrorist leaders.
The General Security Service (GSS) has released for publication the fact that a senior member of Yasser Arafat\'s personal militia, Force 17, was arrested during Operation Defensive Shield. The man, Bashar Said Kamal Hatib, was behind several terrorist attacks including the Nov. 14, 2000 attack at Wadi Haramiya in Binyamin that claimed the lives of Sara Lisha, El\'ad Valenstein and Amit Zana.