25 wanted Palestinians said hiding in Arafat's compound

By Ha'aretz Service [website] 11 September 2002

Twenty-five Palestinians on the Israel Defense Forces' wanted list have
taken refuge in Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's compound in
Ramallah, Israel Radio reported Wednesday.

Among the 25 - the radio quoted senior Palestinian sources confirming their
presence in Arafat's offices - are the head of the PA intelligence apparatus
in the West Bank, Tawfiq Tirawi, whom Israel has accused of being involved
in orchestrating terror attacks.

Also among the wanted men are the Force 17 commander in Ramallah and his
deputy, whom the radio said are responsible for attacks in which 15 Israelis
were killed.

Some of the 25 have taken permanent refuge in the Muqataa - Arafat's
compound - while others come and go.

Channel Two television reported Tuesday that Arafat had insisted that the
opening session of the Palestinian Legislative Council, currently underway
in Ramallah, take place in his compound for fear that if he exited the
Muqataa then IDF forces would move in and arrest the wanted men.

During the IDF's siege of Arafat's compound in April, several wanted
Palestinians took refuge there, including the murderers of Rehavam Ze'evi.
They were later moved to a Jericho jail as part of an
internationally-mediated solution to the standoff.