Israel’s Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met with senior Palestinian officials on Wednesday in Jerusalem, Israel Radio reported Friday, citing senior Palestinian officials.
According to the report, Sharon met Palestinian Legislative Council Speaker Ahmed Qurei (Abu Ala), Abu Mazen, deputy to Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, and Mohammad Rasheed, economic advisor to Arafat.
The meeting took place in Jerusalem and lasted more than three hours. According to Haaretz, this marks the first time that Sharon has met with Palestinian officials since he was elected prime minister.
The Palestinian sources said that Sharon stated at the meeting that he would continue to exert pressure on Arafat to fight “terror.” Senior government officials said that Sharon would meet with the three again when he returns from his visit in the United States next week.
Gaza
Meanwhile, an Israeli soldier was lightly injured during a heavy exchange of gunfire with Palestinians Friday near Kfar Darom settlement in the Gaza Strip, Israel Radio reported.
The gunbattle broke out Friday evening in the area, during which Palestinians fired light weapons and fragmentary grenades at army outposts. Two mortars were fired at an occupation post near the Erez Crossing in the Gaza Strip.
Early Saturday, Israeli helicopters hit and destroyed Palestinian Naval Police targets in Gaza Strip. (Albawaba.com)
