Suggestion that missing Israeli navigator Ron Arad may be alive appears in Lebanese weekly Al-Kifah al-Arabi, which reports Hizballah is now holding Arad missing since 1986 and remains of three soldiers who disappeared more than two decades ago. Hizballah has given Israel two weeks to hand over Nahariya murderer Samir Kantar and so complete second stage of swap deal. Report is not confirmed by Israeli sources.
Two US Marines killed by car bomb at Camp Fallujah Friday, 7 injured. Fresh fighting erupts in city.
Al Qaeda terror mastermind denies members of his organization attempted chemical attack in Jordan. In new audiotape, he says: If our men had a chemical bomb they would have dropped it on Tel Aviv or Eilat – not on Muslims.
DEBKAfile reveals: Zarqawi is technically correct. The would-be chemical assailants captured in Jordan were Iraqi guerrillas from Fallujah or Baghdad – not strictly al Qaeda - although he assigned their mission. This is new tactic whereby al Qaeda disclaims direct responsibility for strikes and creates confusion.
US marines seen leaving fortified positions in Fallujah early Friday after warplanes bombed guerrilla positions. DEBKAfile’s military sources: Marine pullback from positions held in southern industrial zone is cosmetic to test Iraqi guerrillas’ promise to mediators not to capture them or resume fire. Tactic recalls Israeli pullbacks to fringes of Palestinian cities while poised for return. Friday set for security handover to 1,100-strong “Fallujah Defense Army” commanded by Saddam-era general.
Thursday, 8 US soldiers killed, 4 injured,in car bomb explosion in Mahmoudiya south of Baghdad, after one American soldier was killed by RPG attack on his patrol in E. Baghdad. Tenth GI killed by roadside bomb outside Baquba north of capital, raising American troop death toll in April to 126.
Decline continues in Likud membership support for Sharon disengagement plan. Two days before referendum, polls show 43-46 percent against compared with 36-38 percent in favor, a swing of 16-19 percent in a week. Undecideds down to 10 percent.
US National Security Council official affirms that President Bush stands 100 percent behind his assurances to Sharon. He declined to reveal contents of separate letters White House preparing for Jordan’s King Abdullah and Palestinians.
Bush earlier reported considering counterbalancing strong support for Israel with assurance to Jordan’s Abdullah that Palestinian refugees and Jewish settlements will be decided in negotiations.
DEBKAfile sources reveal: Powell drafts plan for fresh Israel-Palestinian momentum in conjunction with EU and Egypt. Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza Strip will become Stage One of road map, followed by creation of Palestinian state within provisional borders in Gaza Strip and 42 percent of West Bank. Remaining territory and Jerusalem will be left open for final-status negotiations.
Bomb belt detected at Gaza Strip Karni crossing hidden inside textile container bound for West Bank. Terminal closed for controlled explosion.
Together with series of measures to combat anti-Semitism in Europe, two-day OSCE Berlin meeting’s communiqué condemned use of Israeli policy to justify anti-Jewish hatred, broke new ground by admitting many actions against Jews in Europe perpetrated by people of Muslim background and categorized anti-Semitism as a threat to democracy, civilization and security.
Disciplinary action will be taken against US officers in connection with charges of abusing and humiliating Iraqi prisoners. Last month, 17 US soldiers in Iraq suspended after torture photos taken by American military police. The officers include Brig-Gen. Janice Karpinsky and her command staff who were in charge of Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad and three other facilities. Six face court martial
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