A 95 year old woman was shot and killed by Israeli gunfire near the West Bank town of El-Bireh. The woman was killed in an area where Palestinian demonstrations took place.
Elsewhere, a senior Tanzim member was arrested late Monday in Bethlehem. According to Israel Radio, Muhammad Masalma, accused of recruiting and dispatching suicide bombers, and preparing explosive belts was nabbed. In addition, Israeli troops arrested several aides of Musalma, the report said.
Meanwhile, Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said most Arab states are somehow involved in Israel's elections.
According to Israel Radio, he said the Palestinians are just as involved as anyone else and he knows why: "Only a government run by Likud will stand firm against the Palestinians' terror."
Israeli media reports claimed the Palestinian Authority is supporting the Labor party in the upcoming election, breaching its policy of not getting involved with Israeli internal affairs.
"We want to reach a political arrangement that will bring security and peace, but we will know how to withstand this political battle without endangering Israel's future," Sharon said during a convention in Tel Aviv. Israeli elections are set to take place on Jan. 28, 2003. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
