The El Fatah command in Amman claimed today that it had foiled an attempt by “Israeli agents” to assassinate El Fatah leader Yassir Arafat. A statement broadcast by Amman Radio offered no evidence however that an allegedly explosive-filled parcel addressed to the guerrilla commander originated with Israelis.
The statement said that the parcel was delivered to the Amman headquarters of Assifa, El Fatah’s military arm, by a messenger wearing an Iraqi Army uniform with the rank of lieutenant. The parcel was found to contain a plastic charge and a detonator and was rendered harmless by an El Fatah bomb squad, the statement said. It added, “El Fatah has once again foiled this latest attempt by Israeli intelligence and their agents to liquidate the leaders of the revolution.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.