PLO’s mainstream Fateh faction said Tuesday it was on an increased state of alert following overnight Israeli air strikes against its offices in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
"The Fateh movement announces the raising of the level of alert to confront the Israeli raids," it said in a statement issued in Gaza City.
"The popular Intifada (uprising) of our bold people will continue and rise to confront the raids until the oppressive Israeli occupation is driven out," Fateh said.
The army said its helicopter gunships bombed a headquarters of Force 17, Arafat's personal security service in Gaza, and Fateh offices in Nablus and el-Bireh near Ramallah in the West Bank.
The army said its air strikes were specifically aimed at Force 17 and the Tanzim militia of Fateh, which Israel holds responsible for instigating a wave of violence across the Palestinian territories that has left more than 150 people dead over the past month.
"The army will not allow civilians, settlements and security forces to come to harm and will use any available measure to ensure their safety. In selecting the targets the army is aiming to avoid injuring civilians."
The attacks followed the killing of two Israelis in separate attacks in and near Jerusalem on Monday – GAZA CITY (AFP)
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