• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Israeli forces seize Palestinian militant leader

Posted on: Tuesday, 14 March 2006, 15:24 CST

By Wafa Amr and Haitham Tamimi

JERICHO, West Bank (Reuters) - Israeli forces seized a Palestinian militant leader on Tuesday after smashing into a West Bank jail with tanks and bulldozers in a raid that ignited protests across Palestinian areas.

Ahmed Saadat, accused by Israel of involvement in the 2001 killing of an Israeli cabinet minister, surrendered at Jericho jail with his hands up after a day-long siege. Israeli forces captured five other prominent prisoners whom they sought.

Israel's seizure of the grey-haired Saadat, following Palestinian suggestions he might be freed, could strengthen the security credentials of interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert two weeks ahead of a general election that he is expected to win.

It stirred a wave of unrest in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian official said President Mahmoud Abbas was cutting short a visit to Europe and returning straight home to "follow up on the developments after the abduction" of Saadat.

At least nine foreigners were kidnapped by militants furious U.S. and British monitors left the Jericho jail before the raid. Two Australians, an American and a Swiss national were later released but four French nationals and a Korean were being held.

A guard and a prisoner were killed in clashes with the Israelis at the jail where Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) leader Saadat had been held since 2002 under foreign supervision. At least 10 people were wounded.

Islamic militant group Hamas, due to form the next Palestinian government, warned Israel against harming him. The PFLP's military wing said Israel would pay dearly. Palestinian officials accused Olmert of an election stunt.

The United States said it had been in touch with both sides to urge restraint.

EXPLOSIVES AND BULLDOZERS

Israeli soldiers first blew up the outer wall of the prison compound, then brought up bulldozers which began to take the building apart room by room as guards exchanged fire sporadically with the besieging troops.

Around 300 prisoners were taken out during the raid.

Israel said it launched the operation because it feared the six could be released, as Hamas had suggested after it won a January election. Abbas also said last week that he was prepared to free them.

Israel says Saadat, 51, ordered the killing of Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi in 2001. The PFLP, one of the smaller groups waging a Palestinian uprising, said it assassinated Zeevi to avenge the killing of one of its leaders.

Gideon Meir, deputy director general of Israel's Foreign Ministry, said Israel had no choice but to act against Saadat because Hamas leaders and Abbas had spoken about the possibility of freeing the prisoners.

"All of this also comes about due to the fact that Hamas is part of the new Palestinian Authority," Meir told Reuters.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat called the raid a "massive provocation" that could spark major unrest. Saadat's seizure would weaken Abbas and other moderates, he added.

"I cannot begin to understand why Israel would want all-out war. Today's military assault would seem to suggest that intent," Erekat said.

Major-General Yair Naveh, chief of the Israeli military's central command, said security forces began making plans weeks ago for the raid after learning monitors planned to leave. He denied any cooperation with the United States or Britain.

Those responsible for the minister's killing would be put on trial, he said.

ATTACKS ON BUILDINGS

U.S. and British officials said monitors left because the Palestinians had failed to implement requested security improvements. Abbas's Palestinian Authority condemned the move and said it held the United States and Britain responsible for the consequences.

Israel had agreed to allow the Authority to keep Saadat in Jericho prison in a deal to end an Israeli siege of Yasser Arafat's compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah in May 2002.

In Gaza, PFLP militants and protesters set ablaze the British Council and stormed buildings used by the EU and a U.S. group. The British Council building in the West Bank city of Ramallah also came under attack.

Four French, two Australians, an American teacher, a Swiss Red Cross worker and a Korean were seized by militants. The Australians and the American were freed soon after and the Red Cross worker was also released. French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy demanded the release of the French people held.

One PFLP gunman was killed in a clash with police trying to prevent kidnappings.

The PFLP has Marxist roots and opposes peace talks with Israel. The group, which was at the forefront of plane hijackings in the 1960s and 1970s, is part of Abbas's umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization.

Hamas also opposes peace talks with Israel, which it seeks to destroy.

(Additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza, Jonathan Saul, Adam Entous and Jeffrey Heller in Jerusalem)

Source: REUTERS

More News in this Category