Israeli forces raided Monday night al-Khader, south of Bethlehem. Palestinian sources said soldiers arrested Fadi Ramadan, a Tanzim activist suspected of being on his way to carrying out a suicide bombing attack in Israel.
In the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said three Palestinians were wounded Monday night when Israeli tanks fired shells in the eastern part of Gaza City. Two of the three people wounded were members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. The third was a passerby.
Israeli military sources said troops arrested at least 22 Palestinians in the West Bank on Monday, including two in Hebron.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials said Ariel Sharon's Hebron plan, still in the drafting stages, involved creating a secure "corridor" linking the Tomb of the Patriarchs and settler enclaves inside the city to the adjacent settlement of Kiryat Arba, where Friday's ambush took place.
Voicing international concern, the United States reiterated its stand that settlement activity hampered peace efforts. "Regarding any possible expansion of settlements there (Hebron), we have been in contact with Israeli officials," State Department spokeswoman Anne Marks said.
In London, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw called the corridor plan "dangerous."
"This is a crime," said Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. He said Israel was out to "Judaise" Hebron. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
