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CNN Live At Daybreak

19 Palestinian Militants Arrested

Aired January 07, 2003 - 05:31   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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Overnight in the Middle East there was a deadly gun battle between Israeli troops and Palestinians in the wake of Sunday's suicide bombings. At least three Palestinians were killed near the el-Maghazi refugee camp. And in an Israeli sweep of terrorists in the West Bank, 19 Palestinian militants were arrested.
Our Walter Rodgers says Israeli troops have been active, but restrained after Sunday's bombings.

WALTER RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Israel, prayers for the dead mingling with the cries of grief. These are the lingering echoes of Sunday's twin suicide bombings in a crowded Tel Aviv low income neighborhood. Thirty hours later, they were still trying to identify some of the remaining dismembered bodies. Sunday's suicide bombings were the first since November. Israeli security forces claimed to have prevented at least 15 other suicide attacks in recent weeks. Officials also credited targeted killings of Palestinian militants with slowing the pace of bombings.

So far, Israel's military response to Sunday's attacks has been measured and muted. With a possible war pending in Iraq, the United States does not want a massive Israeli military reaction now that might further inflame the Arab world. Initially, only nine Israeli rockets were fired into Gaza, sparking some fear, but more Palestinian defiance. And despite the fact the Israeli Army now occupies every major Palestinian West Bank city, it has not stopped the suicide bombers. So now Israel is reportedly planning more pinpoint operations, targeted killings of Palestinian militants. Palestinian universities face closure and there are new travel restrictions, even on senior Palestinian officials, including a ban on a Palestinian delegation planning to attend a London conference hosted by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

NABIL ABU RUDEINEH, ARAFAT SPOKESMAN: This is going to reflect negatively on Israelis and we urge the quartet, and especially the United States, to interfere immediately to stop this Israeli aggression.

RODGERS: Israel's prime minister Ariel Sharon, shown here visiting bombing victims, has limited maneuvering room and he may have decided now that less is better. No incumbent politician wants dead soldiers with an election three weeks away and Sharon knows the Americans want no surprises now.

CHEMI SHALEV, POLITICAL ANALYST: Most Israelis, I think, recognize the geopolitical realities of the region and of this time and they understand that because of the impending American operation against Iraq, Sharon is constrained in his moves and therefore I think they will show understanding if the government does not react in the way that they would want it to react.

RODGERS (on camera): Short-term this suicide bombing may help Ariel Sharon in his reelection bid. Traditionally, the public here rallies around Sharon when terrorism tops the agenda. Long-term, however, this is yet another reminder that Israel still has yet to find a way to stop the Palestinian suicide bombers.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired January 7, 2003 - 05:31   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Overnight in the Middle East there was a deadly gun battle between Israeli troops and Palestinians in the wake of Sunday's suicide bombings. At least three Palestinians were killed near the el-Maghazi refugee camp. And in an Israeli sweep of terrorists in the West Bank, 19 Palestinian militants were arrested.
Our Walter Rodgers says Israeli troops have been active, but restrained after Sunday's bombings.

WALTER RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Israel, prayers for the dead mingling with the cries of grief. These are the lingering echoes of Sunday's twin suicide bombings in a crowded Tel Aviv low income neighborhood. Thirty hours later, they were still trying to identify some of the remaining dismembered bodies. Sunday's suicide bombings were the first since November. Israeli security forces claimed to have prevented at least 15 other suicide attacks in recent weeks. Officials also credited targeted killings of Palestinian militants with slowing the pace of bombings.

So far, Israel's military response to Sunday's attacks has been measured and muted. With a possible war pending in Iraq, the United States does not want a massive Israeli military reaction now that might further inflame the Arab world. Initially, only nine Israeli rockets were fired into Gaza, sparking some fear, but more Palestinian defiance. And despite the fact the Israeli Army now occupies every major Palestinian West Bank city, it has not stopped the suicide bombers. So now Israel is reportedly planning more pinpoint operations, targeted killings of Palestinian militants. Palestinian universities face closure and there are new travel restrictions, even on senior Palestinian officials, including a ban on a Palestinian delegation planning to attend a London conference hosted by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

NABIL ABU RUDEINEH, ARAFAT SPOKESMAN: This is going to reflect negatively on Israelis and we urge the quartet, and especially the United States, to interfere immediately to stop this Israeli aggression.

RODGERS: Israel's prime minister Ariel Sharon, shown here visiting bombing victims, has limited maneuvering room and he may have decided now that less is better. No incumbent politician wants dead soldiers with an election three weeks away and Sharon knows the Americans want no surprises now.

CHEMI SHALEV, POLITICAL ANALYST: Most Israelis, I think, recognize the geopolitical realities of the region and of this time and they understand that because of the impending American operation against Iraq, Sharon is constrained in his moves and therefore I think they will show understanding if the government does not react in the way that they would want it to react.

RODGERS (on camera): Short-term this suicide bombing may help Ariel Sharon in his reelection bid. Traditionally, the public here rallies around Sharon when terrorism tops the agenda. Long-term, however, this is yet another reminder that Israel still has yet to find a way to stop the Palestinian suicide bombers.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com