Militants stay at Arafat’s compound
The seventeen arrested members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade are to continue to enjoy the protection of Yasser Arafat’s “muqata” compound in Ramallah, after they objected to the Palestinian Authority leader’s decision to hand them over to Israel to face prison terms in Jericho.
The men were arrested by Mr Arafat’s security forces.
Israel believes they have perpetrated terrorist attacks against the Jewish state.
Comrades of the imprisoned had threatened to break the three-month cease-fire if their colleagues were exchanged in a quid pro quo, designed to boost the flagging Middle East peace process.
The militant group is loosely affiliated with Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat ‘s Fatah movement.
But a statement yesterday from the militants denied all suggestions that the group would respond with suicide attacks.
The move was seen by some analysts as a way to grant Mr Arafat the chance to leave his compound where he has been under virtual house arrest for a year and a half.
Separately, Palestinian and Israeli foreign ministers yesterday clashed over the possibility of a permanent cease-fire.
Shortly afterwards, four Israelis were wounded in a shooting attack near Jerusalem. A mother and three children were wounded, military sources revealed.
The al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claimed responsibility.
Elsewhere, Israeli politicians approved the release of more than 400 prisoners among the 7,700 Palestinians currently incarcerated.
