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CNN Live At Daybreak

One Palestinian Killed After Israeli Army Incursion

Aired January 04, 2002 - 06:29   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 LIN, CNN ANCHOR: We have new reports of Israeli army incursions into Palestinian controlled areas this morning. Israeli officials say one Palestinian was killed and two others were arrested. That, even as the U.S. begins a new push for peace in the region.

CNN's Jerusalem bureau chief Mike Hanna joins us now with the latest details.

Good morning, Mike.

MIKE HANNA, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Hello there, Carol.

Well renewed diplomatic moves again underway as special U.S. envoy Anthony Zinni is back in the region after a break of a number of weeks. This morning he held a meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as well as members of Mr. Sharon's government, including the Foreign Minister as well as the Defense Minister. Sources say the meeting went well, but no details have been given exactly as to what was discussed, although it is known that Mr. Zinni was finding out Israel's view of the current situation.

The short-term aim of Mr. Zinni is to get a cease-fire in place on the ground. Not only get a cease-fire in place but to get a cease- fire that actually holds for a period of time. This would allow -- the hope is that it would allow the parties to get back to the negotiating table at some stage.

Well Israel has lifted restrictions on the movement of Palestinians in a number of areas in recent days; however, it is continuing military operations against what it terms terrorists. In the latest such operation, Israeli troops moved into a village south of the West Bank city of Nablus, the village of Tel (ph). The village was completely sealed off. There's Israeli forces with assault helicopters and tanks moved into the area. At least one Palestinian was killed. The Israeli Defense Force says that the Palestinian killed was a known militant. A number of others were arrested.

Well from the Palestinian side, no confirmation as to the identity of the person killed or of to those -- who -- those arrested were. Israel says it will continue such operations against those it alleges are planning terror attacks against targets in Israel.

Well Anthony Zinni will later on, within the next few hours, be meeting with the Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat who remains in the West Bank city of Ramallah where Israel has kept its tanks very close to his offices, refusing to allow him out of the city. He has been there for a number of weeks at this particular stage. And Israel has made clear that Mr. Arafat will not be allowed to go anywhere by Israeli forces until it is clear that the current lull or cessation of violence does become more permanent.

This is Mr. Zinni's aim, too, is to create a more permanent cease-fire, a more permanent lull which we have seen in recent days where the level of violence has dropped drastically. But still, a very tall order for Anthony Zinni, remembering that on his last visit here it coincided with a massive upsurge in violence -- Carol.

LIN: Yes, everybody knows the price to pay in this conflict.

Thank you very much.

Mike Hanna reporting live from Jerusalem.

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