Israeli sources are saying that the revolving-door of Palestinian Authority jails is spinning fast this weekend. Within the first twenty hours after the terrorist bombing of Sbarro Pizzeria in Jerusalem, Israeli security officials confirmed that PA intelligence agents under the command of Toufik Tirawi apprehended suicide bomber Hussein Omar Abu Nafr. He was planning to perpetrate yet another mass killing of civilians in Jerusalem, according to the Islamic Jihad. PA officials reported additional arrests in the El-Amari Arab village, north of Jerusalem, where they say they uncovered explosives and a prepared bomb. The Prime Minister\'s office confirmed that the PA had apprehended two of the one hundred wanted terrorists whose names Israel had submitted. However, within less than twenty-four hours after the arrest, Israeli intelligence reported that the terrorist Abu Nafr was released from custody.
On Friday night, Daniel Ayalon, a senior aide to the Prime Minister, warned security forces to remain on high alert. In a conference with US National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice and Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, Ayalon informed them that the PA continues to fall short of its responsibilities to apprehend terrorists and to thwart attacks. In a media interview regarding the steps Israel has taken, Minister of Public Security Uzi Landau said that “Yasser Arafat must pay the price,” adding that strategic economic and military targets of the PA must also be hit.
The Lebanese terrorist leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, speaking on the Hizbullah television station, offered to assist the Palestinian Authority in its ongoing war against Israel, saying that “when it becomes necessary, we will contribute our forces and skills to the battle. Prepare yourselves…” Nasrallah further praised the suicide bomber that killed 15 persons in Jerusalem on Thursday. The terror leader also condemned UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan for apologizing to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon concerning the UN videotape affair dealing with the October 2000 abduction of IDF soldiers.
On Friday night, Daniel Ayalon, a senior aide to the Prime Minister, warned security forces to remain on high alert. In a conference with US National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice and Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, Ayalon informed them that the PA continues to fall short of its responsibilities to apprehend terrorists and to thwart attacks. In a media interview regarding the steps Israel has taken, Minister of Public Security Uzi Landau said that “Yasser Arafat must pay the price,” adding that strategic economic and military targets of the PA must also be hit.
The Lebanese terrorist leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, speaking on the Hizbullah television station, offered to assist the Palestinian Authority in its ongoing war against Israel, saying that “when it becomes necessary, we will contribute our forces and skills to the battle. Prepare yourselves…” Nasrallah further praised the suicide bomber that killed 15 persons in Jerusalem on Thursday. The terror leader also condemned UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan for apologizing to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon concerning the UN videotape affair dealing with the October 2000 abduction of IDF soldiers.