DATE=8/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL / BIN LADEN (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-265741
BYLINE=JENNY BADNER
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICE AT:
INTRO: Israeli and Palestinian security forces have
arrested Islamic extremists, some of whom may be linked
to Saudi terror suspect Osama bin Laden. Jenny Badner
reports from Jerusalem.
TEXT: Israel said it averted a possible terror attack on
Israelis with the arrest of members of militant Islamic
groups in the past few weeks.
Security officials say some of the 23 people taken into
custody are linked to Saudi militant Osama bin Laden.
According to Israel radio, one of the ring leaders
arrested is Nabil Okal, a resident of the Gaza strip who
was sent by the extremist Hamas group to Pakistan three
years ago to study terror techniques with Mr. bin Laden's
organization.
Israeli security forces say they have been working on the
operation with their Palestinian counterparts since
April.
20 of the suspects are said to be Palestinian members of
radical Islamic movements, including Hamas, Islamic Jihad
and al-Qaeda, a movement led by Mr. bin Laden's
organization.
Three Israeli Arabs were also arrested.
Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin reportedly denied that
the group has any links to Mr. bin Laden and his
movement.
Information on the arrests comes just days after the
United States issued a travel warning, saying it believed
there was an increased possibility of terrorist attacks
in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Israeli officials say security forces would remain on
alert.
(OPT) Hundreds of Israelis have been killed in attacks by
Islamic militants, which in the past have become more
frequent during the peak of peace negotiations. (END OPT)
Osama bin Laden, who is believed to be in Afghanistan, is
wanted by the United States on suspicion of planning the
1998 bombings of the U-S embassies in Kenya and Tanzania,
which killed more than 200 people. (SIGNED)
NEB/JB/GE/KL
22-Aug-2000 11:32 AM EDT (22-Aug-2000 1532 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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