The recent arrests of 30 terrorist suspects on the West Bank believed to be members of an El Fatah assassination gang, was reported by security sources today The suspects, mainly form Nablus and Ramallah, were apprehended with large quantities of fire arms, some of it American-made and apparently smuggled from Jordan.
According to the security sources, members of the gong were responsible for the assassinations of at least three Arabs for allegedly collaborating with Israelis and attempts on the lives of others. They are also accused of having fired on Israeli military vehicles on West Bank roads and with attempting to draw Israeli forces into direct combat. The gong, described as one of the “most dangerous” terrorist groups to be uncovered in recent months, is also believed to have been trying to set up new El Fatah cells in the Judaea and Samaria districts of the West Bank.
Meanwhile, three Arab women and one man, all students at Bir Zait. University on the West Bank, were charged in a Tel Aviv district court today with responsibility for terrorist bombings at Jerusalem and Tiberias earlier this year that killed six persons and injured 164. A fifth defendant was arrested in Chicago last week and is being held for extradition at the Israeli government’s request.
The suspects created disorder in the courtroom, raising clenched fists and shouting “Long live Palestine.” Judge Dov Levin ordered them removed and the charges were formally read to them in their cells.
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