Military

DATE=02/20/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (L-UPD)

NUMBER=2-286669

BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

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INTRO: Israel's military has attacked Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat's offices and other targets in the West Bank and Gaza, in retaliation for the deaths of six Israeli soldiers. Correspondent Meredith Buel reports from Jerusalem, at least 15 people were killed in the Israeli strikes.

TEXT: In a fierce barrage of air, sea, and ground strikes, the Israeli military hit Palestinian targets, including President Arafat's headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Mr. Arafat was not hurt, but two Palestinians were killed, one in Ramallah and another in a nearby village.

The Palestinian leader told reporters the "attacks do not terrify us, time will judge who will end victorious."

Israeli warships also fired on Mr. Arafat's headquarters in Gaza City, killing four members of the security services.

Palestinians say that in several confrontations near the West Bank city of Nablus at least nine people, including a number of policemen, were killed.

Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo says the policemen were killed in cold blood.

/// ABED RABBO ///

The Israelis know very well that our security forces have never been involved in any military actions. But they targeted them to kill them in spite of their defensive work.

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Later, following a meeting with key cabinet ministers, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced that he has approved "a different course of action" to fight the Palestinians, but he did not elaborate.

Mr. Sharon is under increasing domestic pressure to crush the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli government spokesman Raanan Gissin says the Jewish state is ready, if necessary, for war with the Palestinians.

/// GISSIN ACT ///

We still maintain an option for the Palestinians to pursue peace. But if they choose war, like the guerrilla warfare that they launch and the continuation of the suicide bombers that they are sending into our cities, then war they will have, and this is going to be a totally different war.

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The Israeli military retaliation was in response to the death of six soldiers in an ambush on an army post near Ramallah. The soldiers were shot at close range by Palestinian militants linked to Mr. Arafat's Fatah faction. (SIGNED)

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