Hundreds of policemen, border guards and soldiers are

The Nablus strike was "one of Israel's most important successes." - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon

currently deployed in Jerusalem, and the Border Police has beefed up patrols along the Green Line. Blockades imposed on West Bank cities were tightened today and roadblocks increased. The cabinet was not expected to change Israeli policy in its morning meeting and rejected growing international criticism against the continued use of "liquidations" against terrorist leaders.

Uri Shani, head of the Prime Minister's Office, told Army Radio this morning that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "intends to speak by telephone with the U.S. President and heads of European countries and to explain to them that the IDF missile attack yesterday in Nablus was defensive" in nature.

Israeli helicopters strike at strategic targets
Shortly before 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon Israeli Apache helicopters fired at least two "smart" missiles into the third floor offices of the Hamas headquarters in Nablus. Three key members of the Hamas military wing, Jamal Mansour, 41, Jamal Salim, 43, and Fahim Ibrahim Mustafa Dawabsheh, 32, and three others in the offices at the time were killed instantly. Two children, Ashraf and Bilal Khader, brothers aged five and eight, who were walking nearby, were also killed in the attack.

The IDF said the attack occurred as the Hamas officials met to plan additional terror attacks in Israel. An official IDF statement said the Nablus Hamas headquarters was directly responsible for terror attacks that killed 37 Israelis and wounded 376 others. The IDF statement added, "Deep regret must be expressed for any injury and loss of life of innocent civilians."

The Israeli military "hit a senior group of Hamas leaders today who had committed terrorist acts and were planning others,'' said a statement issued by Sharon's office. Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said, "Believe me, the hit on the headquarters saved lives, possibly hundreds."

Sharon said last night that the Nablus strike was "one of Israel's most important successes."

Military analysts noted that the Israeli action was the first IDF strike against senior Hamas officials involved in the planning stages of terrorist attacks. The Washington Post said the attack "marked a shift in Israeli policy since its forces began assassinating Palestinian figures last fall." Both Mansour and Salim "were prominent West Bank political figures with formidable Islamic constituencies," the Post noted.

Palestinians vow revenge, escalate violence
Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin warned Israelis "that they will pay heavily" for the Nablus action. Yassin promised a response from Hamas's military wing, saying, "I leave it to the Qassam brigades to react."

Abdel-Aziz al-Rantissi, a senior Hamas official in the Gaza Strip, called on the Izz al-Din al-Qassam "to chase and target the Israeli political leaders and members of parliament, the killer Sharon and the criminal Shimon Peres."

Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat accused Israel of carrying out a deliberate policy of crushing the Palestinians by assassinating their activists, and reiterated his call for international monitors to prevent further escalation. According to media reports, one of Arafat's advisers said the PA had contacted the US and told the Americans that they will not be responsible for any reprisal attacks.

The Palestinian Authority declared a general strike and two days of mourning for the victims of the Nablus attack. Tens of thousands attended their funerals in the city this morning, chanting demands for revenge and holy war against Israel.

West Bank Fatah Commander Hussein Al-Sheikh declared this morning that the cease-fire was officially over and that Hamas, Fatah and the Palestinian Authority were now working together against Israel. Israel Radio reported today that Fatah members have received orders to attack Israeli targets everywhere, including within the Green Line.

Following the Nablus strike there was a marked increase overnight in the number of shooting incidents at Israeli targets. Five Israelis were injured when Palestinians opened fire on two vehicles driving near the settlement of Telmon, west of Ramallah. Palestinian gunmen in Beit Jala exchanged heavy gunfire with IDF troops stationed in Jerusalem's Gilo neighborhood. There were no injuries but damage was caused to two houses.

More than 20 mortars were fired overnight on Netzarim, Gush Katif and Rafah in the Gaza Strip. Additional shooting incidents occurred near Tulkarm, Psagot and in the Bethlehem area. IDF forces returned fire at the Palestinian gunmen.

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