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CNN Live Today
Israel Claims Arrest of Militant Leader
Aired April 19, 2002 - 12:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In the Middle East now, the Israeli government is claiming a major arrest, that of a militant leader in Bethlehem. The arrest comes as Israeli troops continue operations in the West Bank. CNN's Mike Hanna is in Jerusalem and he brings us up to the minute.
MIKE HANNA, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Fredricka, Israel said that it's captured nearly 5,000 Palestinians in the course of its three-week long military operation, massive military operation in Palestinian territories.
Among those arrested in the course of the day says Israel, was a known Hamas leader, a man wanted for several acts of terror in Israel against Israeli civilian targets. His name was Haled Taposh (ph), arrested says Israel in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
In the course of the day, Israel withdrew from the West Bank city of Jenin, where it has occupied for a number of weeks. The withdrawal came, Israeli forces moving back to the perimeters of the city, still establishing a tight cordon around that particular area.
Shortly after the withdrawal, 35 Palestinians were buried in a mass grave in the city. Palestinians say that there are many more dead bodies buried in the rubble of that area. Twenty-three Israeli soldiers were killed during the Israeli operation in Jenin.
But as Israelis withdrew from Jenin or to the perimeter of the city, there was an Israeli operation in the West Bank city of Qalqilya, this set Israel a pinpoint operation not with the aim of reoccupying the city, but with the aim of arresting a number of terror suspects, as Israeli put it, in that particular area.
Also a massive Israeli operation in the southern Gaza town of Rafah. There Israeli forces moved in, at least five Palestinians were killed by the Israeli forces. Israel says it was responding to fire directed at it by the Palestinians. Palestinians say the Israeli forces moved into areas of Rafah in a massive military incursion.
This sets Israel apart of an attempt, says Palestinians, part of an attempt by Israel to establish a new reality on the ground, to make concrete the occupation by Israel of Palestinian territories, and another attempt, say Palestinians, to establish a new reality on the ground in Jerusalem itself.
There Israeli activists are buying up traditionally Arab land in East Jerusalem. This report from CNN's Bill Hemmer.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): In the heart of bustling east Jerusalem, the place where Palestinians want to make their capitol city, down this narrow stone alley Jews are moving in. This small courtyard is a big statement for people like Benny Elon. He refuses to allow this city to be cut in half.
BENNY ELON: In order to have Jerusalem united, you have to have Jewish presence, east, west, north, south, continuity of Jewish presence.
HEMMER: How do you feel waling through this neighborhood here?
ELON: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HEMMER: Elon is a member of Israel's Parliament, who recently resigned his cabinet position because he felt Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was too easy on Yasser Arafat. With the help of a dozen wealthy supporters, Elon is buying property, legally from Palestinians, and putting Israeli families in their place.
Two moved in a month ago, 25 more are coming soon. But all around the block, there are Palestinians living here, a clear majority in downtown east Jerusalem.
(on camera): The project hits so close to the Palestinian world, Damascus gate, the main entrance way for Palestinians into the old city is literally right across the street. But the Jews involved in this project say that neighborhood was theirs years ago.
(voice over): In 1929, riots destroyed the area. Nineteen Jews were murdered. The others were driven away. Under Elon's Jewish reclamation project, he is trying now to bring them back.
(on camera): In a perfect world for you though, you would like to see these Palestinians living in East Jerusalem gone and Jewish families moved in, right?
ELON: It depends. In general, yes.
HEMMER (voice over): He makes no apologies, claiming biblical rights for this people. But some of his Palestinian neighbors do not agree.
"We are the people of this community" this man says. "It's another occupation. It's not the first time. It's not the last time."
To date, there have been no incidents here. Two armed guards help keep it that way. Other neighbors say they don't mind.
And when this woman leaves to run an errand, there is no problem, because the guards escort her to the sidewalk just in case. Bill Hemmer, CNN, East Jerusalem. (END VIDEOTAPE)
HANNA: There will be more on this ongoing crisis in the Middle East in LIVE FROM JERUSALEM with Christiane Amanpour at eight o'clock Eastern time this evening. Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, thank you, Mike Hanna from Jerusalem.
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