U.S. and British Monitors Flee Palestinian Area Due to Security Concerns

Also captured was a sixth prisoner wanted by Israel, Fouad Shubaki. He is considered the mastermind behind a plot to smuggle weaponry by ship from Iran to the Palestinian Authority in Jan. 2002. Israel stopped the shipment before it reached its destination. [5]

The men are known as the "Jericho Six."

At about 7 p.m., the six men surrendered to Israeli forces. The men originally had said they wouldn't give up under any circumstances. Tragically, a Palestinian guard was killed during the operation. Also, Haaretz reported that Palestinians nearby threw molotov cocktails and other objects at the soldiers. [6]
The Israel Defense Forces' spokesperson released a statement today regarding the Jericho dispute stating: [7]

"In accordance with a decision by the political echelon, following violation of agreements by the Palestinian Authority, IDF forces have been operating in Jericho as of this morning to arrest the murderers of Israeli minister Zeevi and other senior terrorists. The international inspectors at the prison had left the city as a result of these violations. The inspectors had been supervising the implementation of the agreements made between Israel and Palestinian Authority regarding the imprisonment of the terrorists."

The men are being transfered to an Israeli prison and Israeli officials have assured that they will receive fair trials.

Background about the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP):

The PFLP was one of the first Palestinian political organizations to utilize terrorism as a means to gain attention for their cause. The group was founded in December 1967 by George Habash. Members of the PFLP have threatened to assassinate Palestinian Authority officials if their imprisoned leader, Ahmad Saadat, is not freed from jail. The PFLP is funded by Syria and Damascus remains a safehaven for several of the group's top officials. The PFLP is one of the most uncompromising Palestinian terrorist organizations.

On Dec. 21, 2005 PFLP militants kidnapped Gaza's American school's principal, a Dutch citizen, and its deputy, an Australian. The kidnappings were an attempt to persuade PA security forces to meet the militants' demands, which included calling for the release of Saadat. The hostages were set free unharmed.

[1] Haaretz Service and Agencies, "Jericho raid sparks attacks on British, U.S. assets in Gaza," Haaretz, March 14, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtVty.jhtml?sw=Jericho+raid+sparks+attacks+on+British%2C+U.S.+assets+in+Gaza&itemNo=694091

[2] Harel, Amos, & Benn, Aluf, "IDF surrounds Jericho jail holding Ze'evi killers," Haaretz, March 14, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/694059.html

[3] "Straw defends Jericho jail withdrawal," Al-Jazeera.net, March 14, 2006, http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/43C29A57-D7A1-4125-9923-50E99540D3E9.htm

[4] "Ramallah deal hinges on prisoners," BBC News, April 30, 2002, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/world/middle_east/1957542.stm ; "Profile: Israel's six wanted," BBC News Online, April 30, 2002, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1959317.stm

[5] "Palestinian prisoners surrender to Israeli troops," CNN, Mar. 14, 2006, http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/03/14/mideast.jericho/index.html

[6] Benn, Aluf, Harel, Amos "Jail siege ends as PFLP chief Sa'adat, 5 others surrender," Haaretz.com, March 14, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/694059.html

[7] "IDF operation in Jericho to arrest murderers of Israeli minister Zeevi," Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, March 14, 2006

[8] "Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine," The Institute for Counter-Terrorism, http://www.ict.org.il/inter_ter/orgdet.cfm?orgid=31

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