Military

DATE=10/18/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (L)

BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO: The Israeli army and Palestinian security forces have begun implementing a series of steps designed to reduce tensions after three weeks of bloody violence. However, as VOA Correspondent Meredith Buel reports from Jerusalem, clashes did continue Wednesday in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

TEXT: Following a meeting between Israeli and Palestinian security commanders, measures have been taken to reduce tensions.

Israel has reopened the international border crossings between the Palestinian territories, Jordan and Egypt.

The airport in Gaza has reopened, and an internal closure on the territories was lifted, allowing travel within Palestinian-controlled areas.

A general closure prohibiting Palestinians from entering Israel remains in effect.

The move follows a statement by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat calling on his supporters to implement an agreement reached at the emergency Middle East summit to end the violence.

If the clashes die down, Israel is expected to withdraw its troops and tanks from flash points in the Palestinian territories.

The Israeli Army says it has pulled back some tanks from the outskirts of Nablus in a symbolic gesture, and would withdraw more heavy equipment once the violence has ebbed.

New clashes did erupt in the West Bank and Gaza, where some demonstrators are urging a continuation of the intifada, or uprising.

In Gaza, Palestinian protesters threw rocks and firebombs at security posts, and Israeli soldiers fired back with tear gas and rubber coated metal bullets.

In another development, the Israeli Army seized a group of Palestinians suspected of being involved in the mob killing of two Israeli reserve soldiers last week in the West Bank town of Ramallah.

Israeli radio says among those tracked down was a Palestinian man who emerged from the scene with his bloodied hands triumphantly raised in the air, to signal to the frenzied crowd the soldiers had been killed.

The scenes were repeatedly played on television and a photograph of the man appeared on front pages across the world.

Following the deaths of the soldiers, Israel launched rockets at Palestinian targets in the West Bank and Gaza.

In Israeli politics, opposition leader Ariel Sharon says he is not likely to join a "national unity government" with Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

Mr. Barak has left the door open for a resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians -- a move Mr. Sharon opposes.

Mr. Barak has a minority government and faces a vote for early elections when the Israeli parliament reconvenes late this month.

The latest round of violence was sparked three weeks ago when Mr. Sharon visited a sensitive site in Jerusalem's Old City that is sacred to Muslims and Jews. (Signed)

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