Israeli Troops, Tanks Attack Tulkarm

TULKARM, West Bank: Israeli troops Wednesday attacked West Bank villages and neighborhoods of East Jerusalem. The raids came as Secretary of State Colin Powell met with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in his besieged headquarters in the West Bank city, Ramallah.

Israeli troops and tanks raided a Palestinian town east of the West Bank town, Tulkarm, as Secretary of State, Powell reiterated his trust in Sharon’s promises to withdrawal.

The Israeli tanks fired at a Palestinian security force building and began house-to-house searches.

Israeli forces also entered a neighborhood in East Jerusalem, removing residents from their homes and carrying out arrests.

Israel alleges that the military raids are needed to arrest Palestinians plotting to carry out attacks.

The actions came as Powell held talks with President Arafat as part of a final round of meetings before the secretary of state was to depart for Egypt.

Before the meeting, Arafat said in an interview with Tunisian state television that Powell's mission had failed to achieve any results.