Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was quoted on Tuesday as saying war against Iraq would lead to increased violence between Israelis and Palestinians because world attention would be focused elsewhere.
"If (war) breaks out, it will completely change the situation in the region," he told Belgian daily Le Soir in an interview.
He said he was afraid Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz would take advantage of the situation to launch fresh action against Palestinians and called on help from the international community.
"I fear that they will start new operations because world attention will be focused elsewhere," he told the paper. "That's why I insist once again that the international community sends observers."
Violence
A Palestinian was killed in the early hours of Tuesday during a gunbattle between Palestinians and Israeli troops close to the Gaza Strip settlement of Neve Dekalim, Palestinian security officials said. The mas was identified as Hassan Abu Said, aged 40.
An Israeli source said soldiers shot at two armed men, hitting one of them.
Another Palestinian was killed overnight during an exchange of fire with Israeli troops in the West Bank, close to the settlement of Kedumim, Israel's Army Radio reported Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, Palestinians accused Israeli troops on Monday of beating to death a teenager in the West Bank city of Hebron. Late on Monday, a 17-year-old Palestinian was pronounced dead in hospital in Hebron after he was beaten by soldiers who stopped him for a curfew violation, Palestinian officials said.
According to the witnesses, the youth, Amram Abu Hamediye, was working at the Andalus petrol station in the industrtial zone in south Hebron when an Israeli jeep patrol arrived on the scene.
The soldiers checked a group of youths and then pulled Hamediye onto the jeep and drove away. About 15 minutes later the jeep returned, and drove through the gas statuion, throwing the body of the youth out of the jeep without stopping.
His friends took him to the hospital, where sources said the body was covered with brusies and he had injuries to his head. Hospital officials were quoted as saying the youth was hit with rifle butts. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
