GAZA, Feb 21: Israeli helicopter gunships and warships attacked Palestinian positions across the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Thursday in a new wave of reprisals, killing nine Palestinians and hitting Yasser Arafat’s headquarters.

The second successive day of fierce bombardments came in response to Tuesday’s killing of six Israeli soldiers in a Palestinian ambush. This week has seen the heaviest sustained violence yet in a nearly 17-month-old uprising against Israeli occupation.

The fighting — in which 38 Palestinians, including two suicide bombers, and 10 Israelis have been killed since Monday — has left international peace efforts in tatters and prompted talk of all-out war.

Despite that, Arafat reiterated his December 16 call for Palestinians to cease fire, and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said during a visit to Spain that he saw no alternative to a negotiated solution.

Shortly after Arafat spoke, Israel broke an afternoon lull in its attacks when helicopters fired missiles at security compounds in Gaza City and the southern Gaza Strip, just minutes before Prime Minister Ariel Sharon started a nationally televised news conference.

Hospital officials said at least five people were wounded.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, whose country holds the European Union’s rotating presidency, called the situation “practically (one) of war” and said it would be hard for the European Union’s to put forward any peace initiative in the current climate.—Agencies

Opinion

Editorial

Doctor attacked
09 Jun, 2026

Doctor attacked

AN act of reprehensible violence has shaken the medical community. On Saturday, an employee of the Provincial Civil...
AJK flare-up
Updated 09 Jun, 2026

AJK flare-up

The situation started deteriorating after a trader affiliated with the JAAC was reportedly shot in an altercation with law-enforcers.
Fault lines
09 Jun, 2026

Fault lines

THE April 8 ceasefire that halted hostilities between Israel and Iran has encountered its most serious test yet....
Soft on traders
08 Jun, 2026

Soft on traders

THE Fixed Tax Asaan Scheme for traders with an annual turnover of up to Rs200m has been designed as a ‘pragmatic...
Ceasefire in name
Updated 08 Jun, 2026

Ceasefire in name

Both sides accuse the other of violating the truce that was supposed to halt the conflict in April, yet neither appears willing to abandon negotiations altogether.
Damaged childhoods
08 Jun, 2026

Damaged childhoods

CHILD abuse is so prevalent that the UN ranked Pakistan as the least safe country for children. Even so, more than...