ARMED GUARDS; EXPLOSION AREA; DAMAGE; ARRESTED MEN.




Initials RJ/VS/AE/SGM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: ISRAELI MILITARY AUTHORITIES SAY THERE HAS BEEN MARKED INCREASE IN GUERILLA ACTIVITY AROUND RAMALLAH, ABOUT BEN MILES (15 KILOMETRES) NORTH OF JERUSALEM. ADDING EMPHASIS TO THEIR CLAIM, A HAND GRENADE WAS YESTERDAY (SATURDAY) THROWN AT AN ISRAELI ARMY VEHICLE.

THE ATTACK RESULTED IN THE WOUNDING OF 23 ARABS AND ONE ISRAELI SOLDIER, THE INCIDENT CAME ONLY DAYS AFTER ISRAEL'S DEFENCE MINISTER MOSHE DAYAN ANNOUNCED HIS NEW POLICY OF COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT FOR ACTS OF VIOLENCE.

IT WAS THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE END OF THE SIX DAY WAR THAT RAMALLAH HAD FELT THE EFFECTS OF A GUERILLA ATTACK. A CURFEW WAS A PLACED ON THE TOWN'S CENTRE SQUARE AND ON NEIGHBOURING EL BIRAH.

ISRAELI SECURITY TROOPS WERE IMMEDIATELY RUSHED INTO THE AREA AND SEVERAL ARRESTS WERE MADE.