A Hamas activist was killed Tuesday during an Israeli raid in the West Bank village of Yatta south of Hebron. The Hamas member was identified as Muhammad Muhr. According to media reports, Israeli troops surrounded a house in which Muhr was hiding, opening fire on the house and killing Muhr when he refused to surrender.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian finance minister Salam Fayad held secret talks on a ceasefire and reform efforts over the weekend.
The two met at Sharon's residence in West Jerusalem on either Saturday or Sunday, Israeli sources disclosed late Monday.
Fayad, who has undertaken serious reforms to counter corruption and secured the transfer of millions of dollars in Palestinian funds frozen by Israel, is perceived as a Palestinian representative with whom Israel can talk, the Israeli sources said. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
