Following yesterday's government-and-army consultations in the wake of yesterday's Tel Aviv bus attack and the nine terrorist casualties in the last two days, the army took action in Ramallah last night and today. The forces have destroyed the caravans and most of the buildings in Arafat's Mukata complex. Two buildings remain standing - Arafat's and one other - but the Israeli forces destroyed the bridge connecting the two. Many terrorist fugitives have found refuge in the second building for nearly six months, and the destruction of the connecting bridge symbolizes the purpose of the operation: the isolation of Yasser Arafat.
The Israeli forces called for the terrorists inside the compound to give themselves up, and so far about 20 Arabs have done so. These do not include those who are high up on the wanted list, however, and 20 wanted terrorists, including Toufik Tirawi, remain inside the Mukata. Israel promises that Tirawi, who headed the PA's Gaza forces and is responsible for many murderous attacks against Israelis, will receive a fair trial. The government decided not to harm or expel Arafat, although the possibility of deporting Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin is still under consideration. One Force 17 member has been killed in the operation.
The Israeli forces called for the terrorists inside the compound to give themselves up, and so far about 20 Arabs have done so. These do not include those who are high up on the wanted list, however, and 20 wanted terrorists, including Toufik Tirawi, remain inside the Mukata. Israel promises that Tirawi, who headed the PA's Gaza forces and is responsible for many murderous attacks against Israelis, will receive a fair trial. The government decided not to harm or expel Arafat, although the possibility of deporting Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin is still under consideration. One Force 17 member has been killed in the operation.