High Graphics | BBC Sport>>
Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | AudioVideo | High Graphics | BBC SPORT>>
Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | AudioVideo |
World Contents: Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | From Our Own Correspondent | Letter From America |

BBC News Online: World: Middle East


Thursday, 20 September, 2001, 12:42 GMT 13:42 UK

Killing mars Mid-East ceasefire


Israeli soldier examines car
There has been sporadic violence despite the ceasefire
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel says he is convening his security cabinet on Thursday after Palestinian gunmen shot dead an Israeli woman near the West Bank town of Bethlehem earlier in the day.

Mr Sharon accused the Palestinian Authority of failing to "stand by its commitments" to honour a ceasefire, after hearing of the killing.



(This) blood attack proves that international pressures brought to bear on Yasser Arafat were not sufficient
Israeli Government spokesman

This is the first Israeli fatality in two days of sporadic violence since both sides agreed to take steps on Tuesday to stop nearly a year of clashes.

The BBC's James Reynolds in Jerusalem says there is intense international pressure - led by the United States - on both the Israelis and the Palestinians to observe the ceasefire.

Our correspondent says the Bush administration wants to contain the conflict which will make it much easier to persuade moderate Arab states to sign up to its coalition against terror.

The latest violence throws into doubt hopes of a meeting between Israel's Foreign Minister, Shimon Peres, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, to shore up the truce.

Group claims responsibility

Israeli police say 26-year-old Samrit Amrani was shot dead when gunmen fired on her car near the Jewish settlement of Tekoa.

Israeli tank

Her husband, Shai, 32, was seriously injured in the attack.

A militant Palestinian group affiliated to Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction, Al-Aqsa Brigades, said it carried out the attack.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Sharon said: "I am very sorry the Palestinian Authority did not stand by its commitments and we will decide today how to act."

Mr Sharon has called for 48 hours of total quiet before he will allow Mr Peres to meet the Palestinian leader.

"Attacks prevented"

The Palestinians say they are making serious efforts to ensure the ceasefire remains intact.

Palestinian police are said to be patrolling trouble spots, including the Rafah refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, and the divided town of Hebron on the West Bank, to prevent any outbreaks of violence.

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Egypt
Speaking on Israeli military radio before the attack, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said Mr Arafat had "prevented attacks in the past few hours and we have appreciated his intervention in this prevention".

But despite the ceasefire, violence has continued.

Two Jewish settlers were wounded, one of them seriously, in a bomb blast on Wednesday night near the Jewish settlement of Oranit on the border between Israel and the West Bank.

The Tanzim militia, affiliated with Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction, said they were responsible.

Earlier, Palestinian sources said a Palestinian man was killed, and five others were injured in an exchange of fire with Israeli forces in the divided West Bank city of Hebron.


Related to this story:
Sharon calls off truce talks (16 Sep 01 | Middle East) Israel plans buffer zone (16 Sep 01 | Middle East) Arafat fears new Israeli attacks (12 Sep 01 | Middle East) Israel's shock at Israeli bomber (10 Sep 01 | Middle East) Analysis: Mid-East chance of peace (18 Sep 01 | Middle East)


Internet links: Israeli Government | Israel Defense Forces | Palestinian National Authority |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
High Graphics | BBC Sport>>
Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | AudioVideo | High Graphics | BBC SPORT>>
Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | AudioVideo |
World Contents: Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | From Our Own Correspondent | Letter From America |

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | ©