at least Two Palestinians were killed in Israeli air strikes against targets in the West Bank today, witnesses and hospital officials said.
Israeli forces launched air attacks on elite forces of Palestinian President Mr Yasser Arafat in the West Bank and Gaza Strip earlier this evening, an Israeli army spokesman said.
The targets included the headquarters of the Palestinian Force 17 in Ramallah on the West Bank, he said.
Several targets in Gaza were hit, including arsenals, a training camp and other buildings used by Force 17 and Arafat's presidential security force.
Palestinian Authority armoured cars were also attacked, he said. Witnesses said helicopter gunships had fired missiles.
The action was initiated by the Israeli Defence Forces, and the aim was to target those responsible for terror, since recently the Palestinian Authority has been responsible for targeting innocent civilians and the deterioration of the situation, the spokesman said.
The IDF will not allow targeting of civilians in Israel and will use the means at its disposal to ensure safety and security and to reduce terror.
