Jerusalem — Three members of Yasser Arafat's Fatah group accused of planning a bomb attack in Jerusalem have been arrested, Israel announced Thursday, while lifting some roadblocks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, allowing Palestinians more freedom of movement.
The three intended to set off a large bomb near an Israeli military headquarters, according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office.
They belong to a group headed by the Ramallah commander of Force 17, a special unit in Arafat's security. Militants in the group were responsible for at least 25 gunfire attacks, killing eight Israelis and wounding about 20, the statement said.
Israel has repeatedly charged that Arafat's Palestinian Authority is involved in violence against Israelis. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who took office last week, has said he will not resume peace negotiations until the Palestinians stop their attacks.
The statement said the three admitted that they were sent by their commanders in Ramallah to set off a bomb last Sunday in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood in a disputed part of Jerusalem, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel charged that Arafat's officers provided training for the cell and did nothing to stop the attacks.
Israel continued easing restrictions around Ramallah Thursday, following a decision by Sharon's security Cabinet, which met late Wednesday, to allow freedom of movement in the Palestinian territories.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.