The IDF struck targets in the West Bank and Gaza overnight in response to Wednesday's terror attacks in Gaza and Samaria, in which 10 Israelis were killed and some 30 injured. The military operations came after Israel's security cabinet determined that Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat was directly responsible for the attacks and "no longer relevant" to Israel.

Helicopter gunships attacked Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah, shortly after Arafat had been evacuated from the building. IDF forces moved into the northwest section of the city, and took up positions some 200 meters from Arafat's office. IDF forces captured a ridge to the north, near the Voice of Palestine broadcast studios and antennae. Engineering forces destroyed the antennae and buildings at the site were reportedly destroyed as well. According to ynet, Palestinians have operated the station from a different location in recent months.

In Nablus, IAF jets bombed a building belonging to the

Yasser Arafat "made himself irrelevant as far as Israel is concerned" - Israel cabinet decision

Palestinian Science Committee, used as a laboratory for the production of explosives for the Hamas, the IDF Spokesman said. A helicopter pad in a compound belonging to Force 17 was also shelled.

A major Force 17 security compound was bombed in Gaza City. Elsewhere in the Gaza Strip, Israeli jets destroyed radar and security installations at Dahaniya Airport and attacked a naval police headquarters in Sudaniya. Palestinian Health Ministry officials said that 40 people were injured as the result of the Israeli attacks in Gaza.

An IDF blockade cut the Gaza Strip into three separate sections. Gaza City was cut off from the rest of the strip by a roadblock at Netzarim Junction, and a second roadblock was installed at Gush Katif Junction. IDF forces advanced into neighborhoods in Rafah, and reportedly erected barriers cutting off the city.

In the cabinet decision, the government empowered the IDF to "rapidly deploy for military operations in the vicinity of the cities of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip in order to carry out arrests, and to confiscate weapons." According to military analysts, the cabinet decision in effect calls on the IDF to be responsible for preventive actions against terrorism, with no reliance whatsoever on Palestinian security forces.

The Palestinian Authority condemned Wednesday's attacks at Emmanuel and in the Gaza Strip, and ordered the closing of all Hamas and Islamic Jihad offices. Israeli officials regarded the Palestinian move as more ineffectual "window dressing" staged for an international audience, as Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists don't leave for terrorist missions from the organizations' culture and welfare offices.

In its statement, the cabinet identified the terrorists from the Emmanuel attack as belonging to a Hamas cell operating out of Nablus. Two of the terrorists were included on the list of 33 wanted men that U.S. Envoy Anthony Zinni submitted to the Palestinians a few days ago. A Palestinian security official denied that Assam Reihan, the Hamas terrorist killed after launching the Emmanuel attack, was included on the list. The official said that Reihan had perpetrated the attack to avenge the death of his brother, Mohammed, who was recently killed by Israeli troops.

Arafat "no longer relevant"
In its decision, the cabinet determined that Arafat was "directly responsible for [the Emmanuel and Gush Katif] attacks," and therefore had "made himself irrelevant as far as Israel is concerned." The cabinet decided that "no contacts will be maintained with him." Apparently, in accordance with the cabinet decision, future trilateral security meetings with Palestinian security officials and mediated by U.S. envoy Anthony Zinni would be cancelled.

"The cabinet instructed the IDF to act in any area where there is a terrorist infrastructure," said Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit after the meeting. Sheetrit said Israel had reached "the moment of truth'' in its battle against terrorism. "We have been talking with the Palestinians at all levels for two years,'' he said. "Now it is time for Israel to defend itself.''

"Only Israel can provide for its own security and that is what we will do," Sheetrit told Army Radio. "The intention is in fact to enter [PA-controlled] Area A and into areas in Palestinian cities where terrorists originate. There is a need to search for those [involved] ... to disarm them [and] arrest wanted [terrorists]," he said.

Sheetrit also promised that Israel would do everything possible to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people, who are "in a unbearable situation due to Arafat's policies." Sheetrit called on the PA to make a strategic decision to stop the terror and suffering, although he insisted that "Israel is not closing the door on the peace process."

According to media reports, Foreign Affairs Minister Shimon Peres and Transportation Minister Ephraim Sneh were the sole dissenting votes in the cabinet's decision. Right-wing ministers had called for Israel to topple the Palestinian Authority and felt the cabinet decision did not go far enough. Tourism Minister Benyamin Alon reportedly threatened to leave the government for this reason.

© 2001 Koret Communications Ltd. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.