In Gaza, the PA security forces enlist AMB mbrs. to set up checkpoints around some evacuated Jewish settlements to prevent Palestinians fr. looting. The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dahaysha r.c., Hebron (occupying the top floors of 2 houses as observation posts); patrols in, fires on residential areas of Bayt Dajan nr. Nablus. As many as 100 Palestinian Resistance Comms. (PRCs) gunmen storm the Gaza City home of senior Fatah Revolutionary Council mbr. and fmr. Gaza public security chief Musa Arafat, kill him, wound 4 bodyguards, kidnap his son Manhal and 3 bodyguards, releasing the bodyguards soon after; Abbas retired Arafat, a powerful and corrupt Gaza figure, fr. his post in 4/05 as part of the security reform process, keeping him on as a security adviser. Abbas convenes his national security council, cancels plans to go to New York for the opening of the UN General Assembly session. (AFP, BBC, JAZ, WP, XIN 9/7; CSM, DS, HA, NYT, PCHR, UPI, WP, WT 9/8; AP, CSM 9/9; NYT 9/10; PCHR 9/15)
Wednesday, September 7, 2005