Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. Afterward, PSF officers attempt to arrest the group at a checkpoint, exchanging gunfire with them, wounding 3. In Haifa, Israeli police arrest a Palestinian for planting a bomb nr. a building complex, dissemble the device. Israel announces that several days ago, the Shin Bet arrested Arafat bodyguard Anis Namura on charges of organizing a group to carry out attacks on Israeli targets in the West Bank. The PA denies Namura is a Force 17 mbr. Palestinians report that the IDF has recently moved more helicopters into Jewish settlements in the West Bank. (WP 7/22; MM 7/23; REU, WT 7/24; MEI 7/27)
At a Likud Central Comm. mtg. in Tel Aviv, Sharon is criticized for "being soft," not "crushing" Arafat, the PA. Leading the criticism is fmr. PM Benjamin Netanyahu. (MM, NYT, WP 7/23; MA 7/23 in WNC 7/24; MM 7/25, 7/26; MEI 7/27; JP 8/3)