After talks with German FM Fischer, Arafat says he is prepared to hold cease-fire talks with Peres. Fischer also meets with Sharon, recommends that Peres and Arafat meet in Berlin. Even as Peres welcomes the idea, a small bomb explodes in West Jerusalem, causing no injuries; when Israeli police search the area, they find a much larger unexploded bomb. The Popular Army Front and Return Battalions claims responsibility. The IDF fires on residential areas of Hebron. (HA, MM 8/21; HA, LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/22; al-Quds 8/22, QA, SA 8/23 in WNC 8/24; MM 8/23; AYM 8/23 in WNC 8/27; JP 8/31)
Late this evening, Israeli-Palestinian violence escalates sharply, further dimming prospects for a German-led cease-fire initiative. IDF undercover units ambush, kill a Palestinian planting a roadside bomb outside a Jewish settlement nr. Nablus, then open fire on Palestinians attempting to retrieve the body, killing another 3, wounding 3. (LAW 8/22; NYT, WP, WT 8/23; MEI 8/21; LAW 8/22; AYM 8/23, AN 8/26 in WNC 8/27)