Sunday, July 7, 1996

Israeli cabinet approves creation of Sharon's new Infrastructure Min., with duties as previously outlined (see 6/18, 7/4), incl. supervision of water negotiations with the PA, implementation of water agmts. with Jordan. (QY 7/7, MA, QY 7/8 in FBIS 7/8; MM, NYT 7/8; ITV, QY 7/8 in FBIS 7/9; JP 7/13)

PA releases 20 Palestinians arrested following the 2+n3/96 suicide bombings. Some 700 of the 900 Hamas, Islamic Jihad mbrs. arrested at that time are still in PA custody. (CSM 7/8) (see 7/3)

At the hearing to appeal his life sentence, Rabin assassin Yigal Amir says he is happy the PM is dead, killing him persuaded Israelis to vote for Netanyahu. (NYT, WT 7/8)